my head gasket has gone, thinking of replacing it myself.

Anyone got experience of doing this to a zetec engine? easy job?

Im assuming all i need is a new headgasket, bolts and cambelt kit (assuming the head is not warped)? where is the best place to buy these bits?

Any help/tips appreciated

btw, yes the car cost next to nothing, but for the sake of playing with my engine, might as well give it a go before scrapping it

also i search the board before posting, are there any guides/faq's anywhere?

also , which haynes manula caould i get to help?

Hyanes manual would be a good start. But usualy when I do headgaskets I find that 99% of the time the head usually warps so I would just get it machined to be safe.

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'Sideways Always'

i did it in mine and its easy if your good with the spanners, just one point to bear in mind, when tightnening the cam caps make sure you do it in stages, as if you dont you WILL snap the cam

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general rule is if its got an ally head have it skimmed beacuase they warp easy, undo the headbolts roughly in order aswell
the best place ive found for parts is http://www.fordpartsuk.com/default.htm i worked full time in a garage for 7 years and found the prices are more or less the same as trade prices.
i would get a haynes manual if only for the cambelt unless youve done one before.
You will need a straight bit of metal about 5mm thick to lock the cams up but apart from that its normal tools.
If you cant get a haynes manual i will see if i can get the technical data and send it to you if you want.

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'Sideways Always'

very difficult to get to and undo head bolts without damaging cam, unless you turn the cam round but you can get into trouble doing that

Nah its ok Ive done loads of them like that you just need a long torx tool and they come off fine. Dont even go near the cams

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'Sideways Always'

well if he does a proper job he will get the head skimmed and the cams come out to fit in the machine