I am replacing the head gasket myself on my 92 ls400 . I am off sat - wen any info on what to do or how to do it is much needed !! I found the info for the valve cover gasket on lexls.com but no info on head gasket replacement . I need all the pics and info that i can get thanks !!!! Is there anything else i should check or work on why it open up ??

 

well you would need the torque specs and sequences for the head bolts.

why do you need to do a headgasket and why are you even considering doing it without any FSM information...?

 

I was leaving work when some smoke came from under the hood on the pas. side the rpms dropped way down . I checked to see if the oil and coolant had mixed and it had not . But i took the cats a loose . The car did run hot the day befor . The heater core is leaking . I am a single parent and I have to do the work because i cannot afforded to get it done and we need the car to get around . That is why i am asking for all the info i can get . I can do the work just need to know what to do and how to do it . I am thankful for any help i can get .

 

i think you need to figure out exactly what's going on before you replace the headgasket. headgasket failure are really rare on these cars.

 

I agree with PD, I'd hold off on the HG replacement if your not positive. A valve cover gasket (VCG) will cause some smoke if it's leaking as the oil will slowly work it's way down to the exhaust manifold and than burns off. If it's not over heating, your not loosing coolant/oil external or internally, you likely don't have a HG problem. I would start w/ replacing the stuff you know is bad, like the heater core. A head gasket replacement at best is a 4-5 hour job, and if your not a trained technician, you could easily add 2-5 hours depending on if you have all the right parts and tools.

 

+3, the head gaskets on our cars are really strong. Almost never fail. Do some more checking first.

 

I also would say it's prolly not the HG. But, as for the heater core, it takes longer to change then the HG. (experience) Maybe the white smoke can be steering fluid leaking on the exhaust. For pictures, check out the starter removal for most, and then, like PD said, you need all the torque specs.