timing belt, valves and magnum head help

vi_ryder · Post by **vi_ryder** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 3:10 pm

I am new to the site and after about 4hrs searching i need help. To sum things up i was driving home and my car shut off. I tried starting the car at least 10 times before i figured out it could be that my timing belt broke. I had a full tank and just had the oil changed the day before by Midas. First time not doing my damn oil change myself. they guys at Midas told me that it is recommend that i do brake & coolant flush and timing belt. i find it crazy that the next day after they tell me this the belt breaks. I have 2002 sohc sxt with 112,XXX miles and a budget of $1500.
I want to know what parts i need to do the timing belt? Also i read that its very rare that my valves wont be bent. How to do i find out if there are bent? If they are do you think it is a good idea to buy magnum head or just fix the valves? what all do i need if i put on a magnum head and where to find one and parts? Up to what yr magnum head would fit my 2002 sohc?

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 3:25 pm

Welcome to the forum!

http://chronoscender.freeservers.com/ne ... gbelt.html
If the head it self is damaged somehow: (All years fit)

occasional demons wrote:Mancini has bare R/T head castings on sale!

$90.00 off. = $275.00 plus shipping.

http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/2rtcyhe.html

Valves as needed.

If head is useable:
A good valve job, possiblbly guides/seals

You will need a head gasket, head bolts, cam seal, water pump.

An oil pump can't hurt since you are there, but not 100% needed.

What a search provided, there is much more.
Edit: The search button is at the top, in the middle.

viewtopic.php?t=42390&highlight=timing+belt+replacement

viewtopic.php?t=11028&highlight=timing+belt+replacement

viewtopic.php?t=37778&highlight=timing+belt+replacement

viewtopic.php?t=28403&highlight=timing+belt+replacement

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 3:26 pm

Parts: Timing belt and water pump for the timing belt change alone. Can increase with bent valves obviously.

Valves: Leakdown test or remove the head.

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 3:31 pm

Also, forgot the intake and exhaust gaskets. It is almost a given that the head will need to come off. If nothing else, to clean the carbon out of the exhaust ports.

darthroush · Post by **darthroush** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 3:35 pm

Thought that's what the almighty, fix-all Sea-Foam is for, lol.

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 4:37 pm

Rrright. After soaking in Castrol Super Clean for two days, I got most of it out of the ports.

vi_ryder · Post by **vi_ryder** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 5:38 pm

Ok so if i do the magnum head i will need the Head, Head gasket,
head gasket seal, head bolts, Cam seal, intake and exhaust manifold plus the gaskets. Would i need magnum valves or regular valves, and would i need camshaft or the one i have in the engine right now, also what about intake and exhuast value? would i also need cylinder head plugs, valve stem seal and valve guide and what about the pcm and the value cover gasket for r/t or just use the regular one that the car already has. i want to make sure i have everything before i start working on the car then i mess up because i forgot something.

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:10 pm

What part of VA are you in? I have a complete head off a 2005 neon SXT I'd sell to you pretty cheap if you want.

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 8:53 pm

invujerry wrote:What part of VA are you in? I have a complete head off a 2005 neon SXT I'd sell to you pretty cheap if you want.

There is that option.

vi_ryder wrote:Would i need magnum valves or regular valves, and would i need camshaft or the one i have in the engine right now, also what about intake and exhuast value? would i also need cylinder head plugs, valve stem seal and valve guide and what about the pcm and the value cover gasket for r/t or just use the regular one that the car already has. i want to make sure i have everything before i start working on the car then i mess up because i forgot something.

You can re use your plastic Intake Manifold (IM) until you get an Mag IM. An R/T exhaust manifold/header is recommended. The cast iron mani will bolt on, but it would defeat the whole advantage of the head.
The 325AA, or 325AB Mag cams will need Mag springs. The bare head casting has the guides and seats installed.
The valves are the same, but you will want to buy new ones for the ones that are bent. If going the bare casting route, I would buy all new valves, otherwise the used valves will need surfaced. You won't be any farther ahead. The core plugs may be installed too. From my understanding the bare casting, is basically assebled to the point where you install the needed seals, valves/springs locks/retainers/cam.

Valve covers are interchangeble The only difference in the head castings is the exhaust ports, and their size. All else is the same other than R/T cast into the water outlet end.

This is by far your best bet, if you don't buy Jerry's SXT head.
viewtopic.php?t=43842

Other FS threads
viewtopic.php?t=44829

viewtopic.php?t=45508

viewtopic.php?t=45352

viewtopic.php?t=45296

Edit: An R/T PCM is not really needed, and it cost way too much for a new one. There are How to's on the IM for making the butterfly valves work.

neonslg09 · Post by **neonslg09** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 10:03 pm

invujerry wrote:What part of VA are you in?

I want to know this as well.

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 11:15 pm

Actually, thinking about it now, I'm about to part out my motor that's in the car. The cam is sold already, but the magnum head is free game. It has a recent valve job, and has already been milled .030" for some compression bump, I'll send you a PM.

Mat · Post by **Mat** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:09 pm

I would go with a replacement head from someone reputable (like Jerry) from this site or Neons.org. ANY year of SOHC head will work for you. If you get a '95 to '99 head, all you have to do is block off the EGR port. You can do that with a piece of scrap aluminum and some hi-temp copper gasket maker if you have to.
Not to cock-block Jerry out of a sale, but I'd just go cheap and easy with a regular SOHC head. If you want more performance out of your car, by all means go Magnum. I have a lightly-used Magnum header I can sell you too.

Regardless of what head you get, you'll need:
timing belt
water pump
tensioner (check out the Litens tensioners for 200+ cars)
Mopar upper gasket kit (has a HG, VC gasket, etc)
Mopar (or comparable) gasket sealer