Cylinder head replacement

[fastivaca]

Quick question for you... assuming I have all the necessary gaskets and tools etc. how long should it take to take off one cylinder head and install another? The replacent one has been trued up and I've replaced the valve seals, cleaned up exhaust ports, installed new exhaust valves, lapped all the valves and put in an FMS cam.

I'm guessing at least two hours.

[ejp2fast]

depends if you've done it before.. allow plenty of time so you don't overlook something.
now that i've done it, i'd say 3-5 hours start to finish for me.. with no stubborn bolts or problems.. again everyones different.

[skeeters_keeper]

When I did a HG on skeeter a few months ago it took me about 4hrs I think... got home from school around 1 or 2pm, had the head off before it was even all the way cool (think it took about an hour), ran it to the machine shop where it got re-surfaced, came home, cleaned everything, and put it together in time to go catch a movie that night.

if you have the new head ready to go with all the gaskets and everything, 2-3 hrs should be pretty realistic as long as you don't encounter any major problems!

[jglutz]

It's not that bad of a job.

Make sure you get all of the lapping compund flushed out. the residue can trash and engine.

[blkfordsedan]

depends if you've done it before.. allow plenty of time so you don't overlook something.
now that i've done it, i'd say 3-5 hours start to finish for me.. with no stubborn bolts or problems.. again everyones different.

That's the key! All it takes is 1 stubborn exhaust manifold bolt to ruin your day.
The water crossover pipe is also prone to disintegration where it presses into the water neck with an o-ring seal. Also make sure you get the block surface as clean as possible for a good seal.

[FB71]

That's the key! All it takes is 1 stubborn exhaust manifold bolt to ruin your day.
The water crossover pipe is also prone to disintegration where it presses into the water neck with an o-ring seal. Also make sure you get the block surface as clean as possible for a good seal.

HAHA!!! Yeah, just ask Pu241 about this!!! That's why I have half of the engine in one of his Festys apart!!

[fastivaca]

Thanks for the input gents. I'm fairly confident that there won't be any issues with bolts etc and the engine was just put in the car about 18 months ago. I'll keep you posted on progress... I just have to coordinate things with the family schedule to find a free afternoon.

[FFW]

sorry to thread jack, started this weekend to remove the head. I am pretty much stuck where i have to remove the 10 bolts. Only was able to remove 6 and 4 of them seem to be like warped bolts, anyway to remove em?

[blkfordsedan]

^^^^
You talking head bolts or manifold bolts? I've never had it happen myself, but I saw a VW diesel that actually had a head bolt break off in the block. That was a major pain for the repair shop that was doing the work!

[FFW]

^^^^
You talking head bolts or manifold bolts? I've never had it happen myself, but I saw a VW diesel that actually had a head bolt break off in the block. That was a major pain for the repair shop that was doing the work!

head bolts having hard time taking em off. Took off like half of em but others wont get grip on em just skips.

[blkfordsedan]

I've used a 12pnt socket...(if I remember, the bolt heads have multiple points). Even had to use a slightly undersized socket and pound it on with a hammer (i.e. use a 12mm on a 13mm bolt). Then drive the bolt out with a punch once you remove it.

[miami man]

yep allow some time for stubborn bolts or trip to auto part store. i did a tune up on a mazda truck and i allowed some extra time in which i was glad because it did not go as expected.

[FFW]

hah found out is better using a 12 pnt 12mm socket rather than a 12pnt 1/2. Was able to take out other ones

[Pu241]

HAHA!!! Yeah, just ask Pu241 about this!!! That's why I have half of the engine in one of his Festys apart!!

Yeah, 3 sheared exhaust studs makes for some pain and suffering.
Even a set of stud extractors didn't make any difference.
Looked like the steel studs and aluminum head had corroded together.
FB71, how did you those out?

[FB71]

FB71, how did you get those out?

with a drill. Galvanic corrosion had done its damage. They had to be drilled and have thread repair inserts installed. Nothing else I could do with them. Going back together nicely, now.