[Chris951]

I've never tore into an engine before besides changing the upper intake on my car. But on the passenger side, both the bolts are missing from the header on the far back cylinder (#4?). Anyways, I have tried to get the bolts in before and failed because of the awkward position and I think the bolt holes are warped a little. Is there a way to pull the head off without removing the lower intake? I don't think there is but I'm just trying to make this a very simple weekend project. If I pulled the lower intake and pulled the head off, could I just mark the distributor so I wouldn't have to re-set the timing? I don't have a timing light.

Any help is appreciated guys. This header leak is driving me crazy when I drive my car and I need to fix it. Also, If I pull the intake and head off and I'm careful, can I reuse the gasket if it doesn't get destroyed? I'm not trying to spend alot of money right now so i'm just wondering. I don't want a $10 project to turn into replacing every gasket in the top end lol..

[Arctic Fox]

No need to pull the distributor to take off lower intake.

[93mustank]

oh boy

[Chris951]

chill chill, i'm not an expert so go easy on me. I'm probably gonna jump into this tomorrow so I just need some tips. This is mainly to tap a new thread into the bolt holes because I can't reach.

[Chris951]

I think i'm just gonna change my head gaskets though. I've been loosing some coolant and the other day I was smelling coolant burning while I was at stop lights. I did a compression test a while ago but I've always had a miss when cold. Idk. I guess I'm just asking for some steps and tips. Can I reuse the stock head bolts?

[91 gt 5.0]

no

[1slo5.0]

Originally Posted by Chris951 I've never tore into an engine before besides changing the upper intake on my car. But on the passenger side, both the bolts are missing from the header on the far back cylinder (#4?). Anyways, I have tried to get the bolts in before and failed because of the awkward position and I think the bolt holes are warped a little. Is there a way to pull the head off without removing the lower intake? I don't think there is but I'm just trying to make this a very simple weekend project. If I pulled the lower intake and pulled the head off, could I just mark the distributor so I wouldn't have to re-set the timing? I don't have a timing light. Any help is appreciated guys. This header leak is driving me crazy when I drive my car and I need to fix it. Also, If I pull the intake and head off and I'm careful, can I reuse the gasket if it doesn't get destroyed? I'm not trying to spend alot of money right now so i'm just wondering. I don't want a $10 project to turn into replacing every gasket in the top end lol..

No there is not. You have to pull the intake to pull the heads. Even if you could leave the intake on it would make the job harder. It would be like trying to take the carpet out without taking the seats out. I'm willing to bet the bolt holes in question either have broken header bolts in them or they are cross threaded. There is a reason why there is no bolts in the holes. You will need a timing light even if you mark the distributor, unless you want to do it half assed. No you can't reuse any of the gaskets. Pulling a head off isn't a $10 project. Its more like a $70 project. Judging by the questions you are asking, I don't think you are qualified to do this job anyway. You should ask for some help from someone that has done this type of work before.

[88-gt-t-top]

Originally Posted by 93mustank oh boy

D-bag

[Chris951]

Originally Posted by 1slo5.0 No there is not. You have to pull the intake to pull the heads. Even if you could leave the intake on it would make the job harder. It would be like trying to take the carpet out without taking the seats out. I'm willing to bet the bolt holes in question either have broken header bolts in them or they are cross threaded. There is a reason why there is no bolts in the holes. You will need a timing light even if you mark the distributor, unless you want to do it half assed. No you can't reuse any of the gaskets. Pulling a head off isn't a $10 project. Its more like a $70 project. Judging by the questions you are asking, I don't think you are qualified to do this job anyway. You should ask for some help from someone that has done this type of work before.

I just had a general idea of how to do it. Since I've made this thread I've been researching and I will wait til I get some money. I'm a fast learner but I will wait until I have the time and money. thanks

[93mustank]

Originally Posted by 88-gt-t-top D-bag

Are you sad today?????

[grnstang]

haha

[88-gt-t-top]

Originally Posted by 93mustank Are you sad today?????

LOL, no just amused at how you have little positive/helpful input on a majority of your posts. Not hatin, just saying... If you having nothing nice to say, just say nothing at all

[Iwannagofast]

Originally Posted by 88-gt-t-top LOL, no just amused at how you have little positive/helpful input on a majority of your posts. Not hatin, just saying... If you having nothing nice to say, just say nothing at all

haha....thats great

[93mustank]

Originally Posted by 88-gt-t-top LOL, no just amused at how you have little positive/helpful input on a majority of your posts. Not hatin, just saying... If you having nothing nice to say, just say nothing at all

Well put sir.....Make it a great day

[gotn20]

ha ha at the this thread

[88-gt-t-top]

Originally Posted by 93mustank Well put sir.....Make it a great day

How is this project coming?
Oh and I did, except for the Hawks losing... there was grilling, catch, and endless sun. It was a great day indeed.

[1FastFox]

I agree with darrell... From the questions you ask I don't think you are going to be able to do this... Do you even have a torque wrench? I have a feeling your going to get it torn apart and realize your in over your head and have to have the car towed to a shop and have it fixed which will turn your "$10" project into several hundred ( probably close to a grand ). If you brought your car into the shop I used to work at all torn apart we would tax the hell out of you for trying to fix your mess. Plus your not going to put the headers on the heads while they are off the motor so you would be right back to where you are right now once you put it back together.

[Chris951]

Originally Posted by 1FastFox I agree with darrell... From the questions you ask I don't think you are going to be able to do this... Do you even have a torque wrench? I have a feeling your going to get it torn apart and realize your in over your head and have to have the car towed to a shop and have it fixed which will turn your "$10" project into several hundred ( probably close to a grand ). If you brought your car into the shop I used to work at all torn apart we would tax the hell out of you for trying to fix your mess. Plus your not going to put the headers on the heads while they are off the motor so you would be right back to where you are right now once you put it back together.

I have a torque wrench. I have all the tools necessary for the job. I said $10 meaning it would be fairly cheap. I just didn't know that I couldn't reuse the stock bolts. The only thing that is haulting me from doing this is the rockers. I don't know if I can just pull the heads off or if I need to take them out and re-adjust the lash when installing the heads. Everything else seems straight forward.

[1slo5.0]

Originally Posted by Chris951 I have a torque wrench. I have all the tools necessary for the job. I said $10 meaning it would be fairly cheap. I just didn't know that I couldn't reuse the stock bolts. The only thing that is haulting me from doing this is the rockers. I don't know if I can just pull the heads off or if I need to take them out and re-adjust the lash when installing the heads. Everything else seems straight forward.

Wow. The rockers is the easy part. You are going to have a real hard time with this. I can tell from the way you are talking. Find someone that has experience with this and ask them to come and help you if you still insist on doing this yourself.