Head gasket replacement diffecult?

[devilgear]

Hey all. I've had a small coolant leak in my 73 Charger for a bit and could not find it. Well after putting gas in it today. I got home and it over heated and I saw the drivers side head pissing coolant on my headers. It looked like a small water hose. Ha. Anyway. I'm guessing at very least I need to replace the head gasket? Its a 400. Would this be a very difficult job? Thanks

[Brightyellow69rtse]

not difficult to do at all!

[RogerDodger]

You will need to remove the intake and headers first. Be sure it is the head gasket first. I thought I had a blown head gasket that turned out to be the intake gasket. Saved me some time. Pressure test it to track down the exact location of the leak. Check the soft plugs too.

[mauve66]

get ready for the coolant to come pouring out, some blocks have plugs in the back on the sides to aid in draining coolant from block, prepare to change the oil also incase some got down past the rings

[devilgear]

I actully saw it squirting out the side of the head onto my headers. Do I have to tear the valves apart or anything like that?

[Cooter]

I actully saw it squirting out the side of the head onto my headers. Do I have to tear the valves apart or anything like that?

Machine shop will tear the valves and what not down at the time they pressure test heads for cracks. What kind of condition is the coolant in? Color? If it looks like mud, then be prepared for more leaks later on.

[XH29N0G]

I actully saw it squirting out the side of the head onto my headers. Do I have to tear the valves apart or anything like that?

But I assume not squirting out where the freeze plugs are located.  The rockers and shaft and pushrods come out (not a big deal) but not the valves and springs to remove the head.