i need to find out which head gasket to get for the 97 2.2L

what type/brand ?

will the common blue fel pro ones work fine ?

or do i need to get the soft metal coated one ?

or go to the dealer parts counter and get a GM one?

need to know ASAP, plan on getting one in the morning and start putting the head back on it

thanks

-96 cavalier 2.2 auto 143k miles

the felpro gasket should work just fine. I dont think they use the any layered headgaskets on the J's. You find the layered ones on alot of fords and chryslers.
Just go the local parts store and order a head gasket set, Its kind of a no brainer, if the one you take off is a standard gasket , replace it with a standard gasket. Remember you gotta change the bolts too , and follow the torque specs. Make sure you have the head checked for cracks and have it resurfaced while you have it off.


01 cav w/01 3400 gam gt 4t45e

Jo Mx... wrote:the felpro gasket should work just fine. I dont think they use the any layered headgaskets on the J's. You find the layered ones on alot of fords and chryslers.
Just go the local parts store and order a head gasket set, Its kind of a no brainer, if the one you take off is a standard gasket , replace it with a standard gasket. Remember you gotta change the bolts too , and follow the torque specs. Make sure you have the head checked for cracks and have it resurfaced while you have it off.

exactly. you MUST replace the bolts, and the fel-pro gasket is just about the best you can get.



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it had a steel gasket on it

it was cracked at number 4 compression ring seal allowing water into the cylinder while running and compression stroke air/gases into the cooling system

yes i already know about the head bolts, ppl need to quit telling me about them im getting tired of hearing about them, i already have known for years that these are TTY

i jut wanted to find out what head gasket will seal and work with the thermal expansion rates between the iron block and the aluminum head

thats all i need or want to know

head gasket number FP9469PT looks like the one

97 and older

thanks!

-96 cavalier 2.2 auto 143k miles

I looked and Im showing from 1987 to 2005 the 2.2 takes the same felpro 9469pt gasket. (it doesnt show that in the listing but if you search for a newer gasket its the same part #) http://www.partsamerica.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=FEL&MfrPartNumber=9469PT
So there isnt a option unless you need a copper shim added because some one milled the head down too far.part # felpro 9469sp http://www.partsamerica.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=FEL&MfrPartNumber=9469SP&PartType=875&PTSet=A


01 cav w/01 3400 gam gt 4t45e

oh ok i just set the head on the engine deck and the fel pro head gasket set has the metal colored soft coated head gasket

i had presumed that fel pro were always the blue head gasket because thats all i have ever gotten before on various years makes models over the years

i was wrong

im right now trying to find the head bolt tightening sequence again

i lost it, and the thread i had about it too

it is so difficult to find out this info

hmm

might take all day to





thanks!

-96 cavalier 2.2 auto 143k miles

ok i did it and its done and it runs absolutely perfect smooth and very strong the best it could possibly run and no engine light or anything at all

used the cheap auto zone bolts and the basic fel pro gasket head set with the metal soft coated head gasket

perfect job it was

inside of the engine was very clean especially for 215k miles

anyone who needs any tips or info on a 2.2L head gasket replacement let me know, i know some tricks/shortcuts on these now

actually is one of the easiest head gasket jobs i have ever done

the hardest part is the fuel lines and the power steering pump bolts

everything else is pretty simple

one power steering bolt i did not put back in, the lowest down one

also the fuel line brace bolt nut threaded up into the bottom side of the intake


i can do it in the near future though



thanks for all the info and suggestions and so on here

R

-96 cavalier 2.2 auto 143k miles

I might be doing this in the near future. How much stuff did you actually have to remove to pull the head?

Not sure what else to ask so any other info would be great.

Thanks

hi there its pretty easy actually

the hardest part are the fuel lines and the power steering

i removed the entire top front engine mount assembly and unbolted the exhast manifold from the head only

rmeoved the alternator and brace all as one assembly 15mm
removed the three power steering pump bolts through the holes in the pulley, 13mm they are

the brace bolt up under the intake for the pump brace 10mm wrench works great

leave the EGR and water upper water hose plate assembly on the head, i rmeoved the EGR valve before pulling the head, really simple

the wiring all sits on top of the intake manifold for the TB unit sensors and injectors, just unplug them all real qucik and pull them off the intake and down under the intake and leave them be, easy to do

pull the throttle and cruise cables bracket off the valve cover and intake, real simple also


remove the oil filler tube, real simple too, bolt is in the front of the block right there cant miss it

pull the head offf with the intake on it



-96 cavalier 2.2 auto 143k miles

Hey thanks Wabbit.

no problem

the three p/s pump bolts you may not actually need to remove, im not positive, i pulled them on mine, but you may not actually need to

try it without pulling them and see if the front engine plate separates from the head enough to slip past the head when lifting it off the engine block

it just might

good luck

-96 cavalier 2.2 auto 143k miles

also you need to remove the two 15mm belt tensioner assembly mounting bolts to get all of the front engine plate bolts out

-96 cavalier 2.2 auto 143k miles