How's about a sticky for the recall issue of the 2.2s head gasket? I've some pics of my repair job, and I'm sure others would like to contribute their own tips on this assembly fiasco that GM wants to limit cost on by denying a free repair.

I actually replaced head the head gasket once because my head was cracked. Check for cracks.

Well, aside from a cracked or warped head, the reason for the gasket failure, and the reason for the recall, is that the guide pins in the block were/may have been installed such that they allow the coolant a chance to 'spoil' the gasket. The pins are a flat band of metal rolled up into a nearly-closed cylinder. If the open part faces a coolant passage directly, it will compromise the gasket -- effectively eating it away. These pins are by the 'front' corners of the block, outside of #1 and #4 cylinders. If someone will help me, I've got a GREAT picture of this from when my gasket failed. It's on my hard drive, not hosted anywhere. I gambled, in that, I didn't have my head checked for cracks or resurfaced. I was told that if I never had an overheating event, and if there were no symptoms of a cracked head, I could get away with just a new gasket. I did, and I have.

I see a lot of the old 2200 heads and gaskets failing. It's almost expected, like rusted floor pans on an old Beetle. Did the E-tec fix this problem? Sounds like my 04 is doing the same (recent posting details all.)

Word of advice, when getting a new head, do the paper test. Place a piece of paper on a flat surface, then place the head on the paper. Pull the paper out, if the head holds it very tight, then its properly leveled. Try placing the paper in different areas of the head (to get an over all test). If it does not hold tightly, then the head could be warped or shaved improperly. Also follow torquing paterns for the bolts.