Re: Bad Day-Milano

["Jason Ball" <madmac@domain.elided>]

I've pulled Milano heads w/ the motor in the car and pulled a Milano motor
and there are advantages and headaches with both approaches.

When I pulled the heads in the car it required removal of the brake booster
to clear the left head. A serious PITA.  The access to the booster nuts are
behind the dash and the experience is excruciating!   The advantage to the
"in car" approach is that if the heads are stuck (not uncommon,) you can
pound, pull and pry on the heads while the motor is still bolted in place.
Both motors I delt with had "sticky" heads, but If your heads were off 40K
ago, this may not be a problem.

If you pull the motor, then among other tasks you are looking at pulling the
drive shaft (someone correct me if there is a way around this) moving the
MC, and removing the AC compressor and pulling it out of the way (or
recovering the freon and disconnecting the AC hoses I suppose).

If you are pulling the motor it would be a good time to replace your front &
rear seals and the power steering rack (if you are the kind of Alfa driver
who cares about such luxuries)

I would do a compression check to see if you can ID which head gasket might
be the troublemaker.  If it is just the right side gasket then you could
save A TON of time and effort by just replacing the right side gasket!

Regarding the Valve Job and S-Cams: If the heads were "redone" properly (w/
new valves and guides) 40k ago they "should" be good shape. Check the
compression. (and possibly do a leak down test)  I would also check your cam
lobes for wear.

S-cams are win-win on torque and HP even on a 2.5, but like any performance
mod, they put additional stress on your motor.  If your rings are starting
to get tired, s-cams and fresh sperry heads will accelerate their demise.


Jason Ball
87 Milano Gold
Austin, Texas


> Yes, remove the engine. Yes, I'm serious. Time, 4 hours out and 6 hours back
> in for the motor. 8 hours total for removing and replacing heads plus the
> time to do the valves.




>> Date: 9 Feb 00 12:50:41 CST
>> From: Ralph Moorhouse <ralfalfa@domain.elided>
>> Subject: Bad Milano-day!
>>
>
>> Th PO had the heads "redone" about 40K miles ago (the dreaded timing belt
>> break)so I'm a little surprised (to say the least) that the head gasket
>> appear to have gone.  So I face a gasket replacement...at least.  The problem
>> is...the "while I'm at it why don't I do this and that" syndrome looms!
>
>> First:  Any tips on removing heads (89 Milano Gold)?  How long a job (I h=
>> ave
>> done the timing belt & water pump before but never a v-6 head.
>>
>> Second: I suppose I should do a valve-job while the heads are off - any
>> advice?  Send to Sperry?
>>
>> Third:  Anyone have any S-cams (couldn't resist the thought!!!)
>>
>> Fourth:  Anyone have an 2.5L running engine (no water leaks!!) that they =
>> might
>> be willing to part with?  Or whole running car...cheap?
>
> 

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