:loco: I have a 1994 Eagle Talon. It's a 5-spd Manual, with a head gasket problem. I do not know how to replace the head gasket(s). I was given a very nice head gasket set, ( brand spankin the best ). But I don't know what to do, how long it will take, or even where to start. Does anyone know how to change a head gasket? Or is there a good website that I don't have to pay for because I don't have much money. any help please? Thanks.

I wouldn't do it. Talons do not have timing marks for their belts. Unless you know what you're doing, don't bother. You could put it back together and blow it up if you're a few teeth out.

I thought a manual transmission didn't have timing. But I've only worked on automatics, and One manual, and it didn't have timing. It was a 1987 Isuzu Pickup. There was no timing on it. I don't have the money to pay a mechanic, and I can time a car quite well, My old pontiac was very easy to time. But, I would also like to know how long on average if I work at a constant rate, does it take to replace one, I see the hardest part will be removing the manifolds.

But my car is a 1.8 SOHC engine. So it's fairly small.

If you have a general idea of how cars work and have done SOME disassembly/reassembly of some sort of car, just get a repair manual and read the diretions. Should be straightforward enough. As far as timing marks not being there...make your own. Just be confident in your marks because one or two teeth off and you could easily bend every valve in your engine.

I thought a manual transmission didn't have timing. But I've only worked on automatics, and One manual, and it didn't have timing. It was a 1987 Isuzu Pickup. There was no timing on it. I don't have the money to pay a mechanic, and I can time a car quite well, My old pontiac was very easy to time. But, I would also like to know how long on average if I work at a constant rate, does it take to replace one, I see the hardest part will be removing the manifolds.

But my car is a 1.8 SOHC engine. So it's fairly small.

okay, remember what I said before??? forget it...all of it.

If you have a general idea of how cars work and have done SOME disassembly/reassembly of some sort of car, just get a repair manual and read the diretions. Should be straightforward enough. As far as timing marks not being there...make your own. Just be confident in your marks because one or two teeth off and you could easily bend every valve in your engine.


Where is the timing in my car? I see two different rubber belts like alternator belts, neither runs a fan. But they are both on the opposite side of the bell housing for the clutch. In which there is nothing on that side of the engine(rear). But how long does it take to replace one if I start very early in the morning and work all day, I have all the time I need, I just want to know. I have lots of questions.

all engines have a timing belt or chain, unless your like mike.

There is no need to remove the intake manifold that just wastes time. drop the exhaust manifold and remove the head and intake in one chunk. Make sure you place the engine on number 1 TDC, then make a mark on one of the timing teeth and one on the head, so in case it moves, you can line it back up. Do the same on the crank timing gear before even removing the belt. Take the belt off and pull the head. If it was me, i would mill the head while it's off and maybe put new valve stem seals in.

good luck.

Where is the timing in my car? I see two different rubber belts like alternator belts, neither runs a fan. But they are both on the opposite side of the bell housing for the clutch. In which there is nothing on that side of the engine(rear). But how long does it take to replace one if I start very early in the morning and work all day, I have all the time I need, I just want to know. I have lots of questions.

The timing belt will be behind all of the front end (alternator, water pump, power steering pump, etc.) and then you can probably see a big plastic cover on the front of it (sometimes referred to as the timing cover). Behind that you'll find the belt. It should run from the crank up to the (two?) camshaft(s?) above the head. If you dont know where the timing belt is, you probably have no business changing it but if you're really determined, make sure you study up on it. Study your repair manual and ask someone who knows if you have any questions and do all of this BEFORE you do even start.

all engines have a timing belt or chain, unless your like mike.

There is no need to remove the intake manifold that just wastes time. drop the exhaust manifold and remove the head and intake in one chunk. Make sure you place the engine on number 1 TDC, then make a mark on one of the timing teeth and one on the head, so in case it moves, you can line it back up. Do the same on the crank timing gear before even removing the belt. Take the belt off and pull the head. If it was me, i would mill the head while it's off and maybe put new valve stem seals in.

good luck.


ok, explain that simpler, i'm a stupid. Number 1 Top Dead Center? head an intake one shot?

Still no one has told me how long this takes!?

Number 1 cylinder at it's highest point on the compression stroke. Just as a reference point so when you go to put it back together, you can put it back on TDC #1 and line your marks back up. Make sure, if it does get misaligned, you adjust the cam and not the crank. I think it'd be easier to take apart the intake but however you prefer it.

Alright I got how to do it, now long will it taike me if I work at a constant rate?

take it to a garage, you gotta virtualy take the whole engine away down to the pistons lol and than u gotta time it up and put the cam belt on ect, if u get it wrong u can bend/snap the valves and kill ya engine

Alright I got how to do it, now long will it taike me if I work at a constant rate?


Given your recent history with attempts at hands-on repairs on your Pontiac, I'd say it will take you three or four days to get the thing apart and realize you are in WAY over your head.....

A couple of days to find a garage willing to try and put your jigsaw puzzle back together....

A couple more days for them to figure out where all the parts are and how they go back together since they didn't take them apart......

Do yourself a favor and eliminate the first two steps, going directly to the garage and having them do the job from the start.

They'll probably tie the car up for a day or two.

It will be cheaper and faster for you overall.

And, with the money you save, you can find a local clue store and buy a clue - since you don't seem to have one at the moment.

I thought a manual transmission didn't have timing. But I've only worked on automatics, and One manual, and it didn't have timing. It was a 1987 Isuzu Pickup. There was no timing on it. I don't have the money to pay a mechanic, and I can time a car quite well, My old pontiac was very easy to time. But, I would also like to know how long on average if I work at a constant rate, does it take to replace one, I see the hardest part will be removing the manifolds.



All vehicles have "timing."

There is camshaft timing so the valves will open at the correct time.....

.....and ignition timing so the ignition spark will occur at the correct time...

....and, fuel injected vehicles have injector timing so the fuel will be injected into the combustion chamber at the correct time.


The fact that you don't even know the basic concept of various engine "timing" requirements provides even more evidence to the fact that - as with your Pontiac - you are really not qualified to attempt this job.

Do not do it yourself... my boyfriend owns a shop that mainly works on talons, eclipses, and lasers. We have seen soo many blown motors from people trying to change a timing belt or something that had to do with taking off the timing belt and messing up their motor. We had a motor the other day that was in a parts car it was blown because the kid put the timing belt on wrong and it blew it up, the motor still had plenty of assembly lube still left on it so we knew it didn't run for long. If you even make the mistake of putting the belt on a few teeth off you can blow your motor. You are probably going to mess it up so I would take it to someone who knows what they were doing. If you lived close to us I would tell you to bring it to my b/f.

Where is the timing in my car? I see two different rubber belts like alternator belts, neither runs a fan. But they are both on the opposite side of the bell housing for the clutch. In which there is nothing on that side of the engine(rear). But how long does it take to replace one if I start very early in the morning and work all day, I have all the time I need, I just want to know. I have lots of questions.
If you are standing looking at your car from the front the timing belt is on your right hand side, drivers side. Oh god this is going to be bad if you attempt it. I've seen way too many people try and work on these and mess them up.

If you are standing looking at your car from the front the timing belt is on your right hand side, drivers side. Oh god this is going to be bad if you attempt it. I've seen way too many people try and work on these and mess them up.


Yeah, I have a friend who knows shitloads about cars. He might help me. But I really don't have tons of money to be spending on cars. This suck. So I am going to buy a timing kit, and a clutch kit. with a bunch of engine pieces, take the bitch to a mechanic and tell em' to have at it. that's a good 2000k. GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!! Oh well, I could the rest of my money from my student loan. This sucks.

Yeah, I have a friend who knows shitloads about cars. He might help me. But I really don't have tons of money to be spending on cars. This suck. So I am going to buy a timing kit, and a clutch kit. with a bunch of engine pieces, take the bitch to a mechanic and tell em' to have at it. that's a good 2000k. GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!! Oh well, I could the rest of my money from my student loan. This sucks.
It shouldn't cost anywhere near 2000. If it does you are getting ass raped.

probably one to two days depends on how fast you give up. and if you have all the right tools. i have to change mine to