Big block head install
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
Big block head install
Question for the big block guys.
How hard is it to install heads with the short block installed in the car? Using ARP bolts.
My heads for the BB swap are still two weeks out. Want to put the short block and T-56 into the car to mock up the transmission crossmember and get driveshaft measurements. If I can leave the engine in and install heads then I may install the clutch, etc.
Just trying to get a plan of attack. Power brake car so got the booster to deal with as well, FYI.
How hard is it to install heads with the short block installed in the car? Using ARP bolts.
My heads for the BB swap are still two weeks out. Want to put the short block and T-56 into the car to mock up the transmission crossmember and get driveshaft measurements. If I can leave the engine in and install heads then I may install the clutch, etc.
Just trying to get a plan of attack. Power brake car so got the booster to deal with as well, FYI.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 836
Likes: 26
From: Harrisburg Pa
If the engine is out then I would wait because its so much easy'er..
I installed my short block to fit up my TKO-600 and to make my trany crossmember a 2 piece, then took it back out to finish it.
Probable going in for good this weekend. I dont like leaning over fenders with heavy loads.
I installed my short block to fit up my TKO-600 and to make my trany crossmember a 2 piece, then took it back out to finish it.
Probable going in for good this weekend. I dont like leaning over fenders with heavy loads.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
Question for the big block guys.
How hard is it to install heads with the short block installed in the car? Using ARP bolts.
My heads for the BB swap are still two weeks out. Want to put the short block and T-56 into the car to mock up the transmission crossmember and get driveshaft measurements. If I can leave the engine in and install heads then I may install the clutch, etc.
Just trying to get a plan of attack. Power brake car so got the booster to deal with as well, FYI.
How hard is it to install heads with the short block installed in the car? Using ARP bolts.
My heads for the BB swap are still two weeks out. Want to put the short block and T-56 into the car to mock up the transmission crossmember and get driveshaft measurements. If I can leave the engine in and install heads then I may install the clutch, etc.
Just trying to get a plan of attack. Power brake car so got the booster to deal with as well, FYI.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,557
Likes: 9
From: Oquirrh Mountains
St. Jude Donor '09
As long as you're using bolts, not studs, it's not hard to pull/install them; even with the pb booster. It takes just a slight bit of maneuvering to get them in and out. The biggest 'problem' is that they are heavy and awkward to put on by hand. I use an engine hoist with the iron heads so I don't strain my back.
Last edited by Ben Lurkin; Apr 19, 2012 at 11:10 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
As long as you're using bolts, not studs, it's not hard to pull/install them; even with the pb booster. It takes just a slight bit of maneuvering to get them in and out. The biggest 'problem' is that they are heavy and awkward to put on by hand. I use an engine hoist with the iron heads so I don't strain my back.
Keep the shiny side up!
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I have GM aluminum heads- I've found that one of the head bolts at the left rear won't go in with the head in place. It's one of the mid length bolts under the brake booster. Once I found that. I just put the sealer on it and hold it with a rubber band until the head is in place, then thread it in normally.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
If you only have a short block in the car, then 80% of the job needed to pull the engine out is already done, just do the remaining 20% and save yourself (and your back) a lot of extra work.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,046
Likes: 675
From: FL
New engine is sitting on the stand right now. While waiting for the heads, I am thinking of stabbing the short block in the bellhousing and transmission attached. That will let me figure out the shifter, tranny crossmember and driveshaft. Just wondering if I can get away with not having to it back out.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 3
From: League City TX
When I considered doing a head swap in the car, the main worry that I had was the head bolts by the AC evaporator case.
Since your car doesnt appear to be an AC car, I dont think you will have any trouble.
Since your car doesnt appear to be an AC car, I dont think you will have any trouble.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 680
Likes: 5
From: Denham Springs LA
I just changed head gaskets (looking for water leak) on bbc in my 76 with air and power brake booster. It was a knuckle buster torquing a few of the bolts. I recommend taking short block back out.
If I had it to do over, I would pull the engine to replace the head gaskets.
It's do-able, just depends on how much of a rush you are in.
Good luck,
Roger
If I had it to do over, I would pull the engine to replace the head gaskets.
It's do-able, just depends on how much of a rush you are in.
Good luck,
Roger
