Head Gasket replacement.

2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU
78,000 MILES
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JLG41
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My car had a back head gasket that was leaking. After replacing both head gaskets, put engine back together. Upon trying to start car, it will turn over briefly, then sputters and dies. No codes stored. I checked all vacuum lines, made sure the ignition wires were on the right coils, etc. It feels like the timing is off, but pcm is in working order. I did not touch balancer to disturb timing. Is it possible that If I put the wrong head on the wrong side of the block, that the valves are off, causing timing to be off? This really has me stumped.....Help.

Thanks,
Jim
May 24, 2013 at 12:36 PM
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WRENCHTECH
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Did you send these heads to the machine shop before putting them back on the car?

Did you use new head bolts.
May 24, 2013 at 1:03 PM
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JLG41
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Heads were not sent out. Had slight leak, and heads were in good shape. Did not use new head bolts...
May 24, 2013 at 1:15 PM
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WRENCHTECH
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
You're probably going to be doing to whole job over. Of course the heads need to be sent out to be checked, pressure tested and planed. The head bolts are stretch bolts and are one time use.
May 24, 2013 at 1:24 PM
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