I RECENTLY BOUGHT THE CAR, 315K MILES, HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. BUT THE FIRST THING I NOTICED WHEN REMOVING THE HEAD WAS THAT THE TENSIONER WAS SITTING CROOKED IN THE SLOT. THE TIMING COVER SHOWS NO SIGNS OF DAMAGE WHERE THE PIN RESTS. iT APPEARS THE PIN IS BENT FAR ENOUGH TO REST OUTSIDE THE SOCKET IN THE TIMING COVER. ANYBODY KNOW HOW THIS PIN IS FITTED IN THE BLOCK? THREADS OR PRESSED IN? I AM LEARY OF TRYING TO BEND IT BACK AND HAVE IT BREAK OFF OR DAMAGE THE BLOCK.

AS FAR AS THE LEAKY HEAD, YES THE FITTING I AM REFERRING TO IS BETWEEN CYL'S 5 AND SIX ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. BUT, THE FITTING THAT THE HEATER LINE IS PRESSED INTO IS WHAT HAS FAILED AND WILL HAVE TO BE DEALT WITH. I AM CURIOUS IF ANYBODY ELSE HAS SEEN THIS PROBLEM AND ENGINEERED A FIX FOR IT. A HELICOIL MAYBE? CUT THREADS FOR A-N FITTING? HAVE ANOTHER FITTING WELDED TO THE HEAD AND REWORK THE HEATER HOSE?

EDDIE E.
87 300 SDL
(315K AND JUST GETTING STARTED!)