1991 SAAB 900 Resurfaced Head

Engine Mechanical problem
1991 Saab 900 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

I have a 1991 Saab 900S turbo 16 valve, (H type engine). I blew the head gasket

and warped the head. I took the head and had it resurfaced and was told by the

machinist that to resurface the head would require them removing.018 inch which

he then told me that would be to much and that it would be better replacing the

head. Doing this would effect the valves opening and closing properly. At this

time I did not understand what the man meant. Before blowing the gasket the car

ran fine. After blowing the head gasket, I found it increasingly hard to start, so

I decided to replace the head gasket by myself.

Up to this time I never had a vehicle blow a head gasket. I am on a limited fixed

income, so I decided to resurce the cylinder head nonetheless. I proceeded to

refit the head and completed getting the car back together. As I tried to start

the car, assuming it would start up with ease, I found myself having difficulty

starting the car once again and as the car started it made a loud knocking noise

coming from the valve region so I turned the car off immediately and am now

seeking advice.

The repair manual states that I should measure the clearence of the cam to the

tappet. If the camshaft exceeds a specified gap/tappet clearence, adjustment is

neceesary and theat I must record the values of each cam lobe compare the

differences and remove the tappets and shims from the valves keeping them

identified, measure the thickness of the existing shims compare them with the

correct clearences and determine the thickness of the new shims.

I believe that this is where my problem lies with respect to the loud knocking

heard as I started the engine. As I tried starting the engine I noticed the car

was repeating the same conditions I experienced when I had first blew the head

gasket. Since I replaced the head gasket, I was told, by a an associate, that I am

experiencing difficulty starting the engine due to the valves needing to be

adjusted with the correct shims and that I am losing compression in my cylinders

due to the valves not closing completely, which in turn is making it hard to

start.

I have not measured the clearences from the cam to tappets in the vehicle, but I

assume that this must be the reason for the loud knocking I heard and the

difficulty in starting the car.

My question to you is. If I get another cylinder head one that is not warped or

been resurfaced, will this solve my problem and get me mobile again? My family

needs a running vehicle, and I cannot at this time purchase another. Please reply!