Head removel ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,064
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From: Kingwood Texas
Head removel ?
I started tearing down my 95 to remove the heads because of a blown head gasket. I already removed the ac compressor and alternator, but does the whole accessory bracket have to come off? Also any tips by anyone who has does this job would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance Mike.
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I started tearing down my 95 to remove the heads because of a blown head gasket. I already removed the ac compressor and alternator, but does the whole accessory bracket have to come off? Also any tips by anyone who has does this job would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance Mike.
Out of this job, I consider coolant the number 1 PITA. I had to remove the cats because I'm doing a complete exhaust overhaul, but you dont have to do that. To drain the coolant, place newspapers underneath the engine bay, place empty container, and loose the knock sensors one at the time. Once you finish, put the sensors back in place, and drain the radiator.
On the passenger side, the coil assembly must be removed. Look for that hidden PS bolt. The rest are steps. Be careful with all plastic connectors, these things are 20 years old, and do not respond well to "normal" handling. Be very nice to them, perhaps handle with lots of love.
Once you get all components out clean all good for reassembly. I recommend to take the heads to a machine shop for an inspection. Perhaps a valve job, new beehive springs, LS7 roller lifters, new pushrods, and new 1.6 roller rockers.
I don't think the factory head bolts can be re-used. Buy new ones.
The intake bolts can be re-used, but if you want to buy new ones. The intake 12 bolts have three studs (part 10106420), and nine bolts (part 9439930). The air injection gasket (part 12337972). I'm currently awaiting on the machine shop.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: San Marcos CA
MRPVette,
You can, if you want to, reuse head bolts if they are not torque-to-yield style. Small block chevy bolts are torqued to 65 lb/ft (in 3 steps) so you might want to check your service manual to be sure, but if you are just going for stock hp, then I would just reuse the same bolts. My 95 Y-Body FSM says 65 lb/ft for the LT-1.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
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From: Anaheim CA
You can, if you want to, reuse head bolts if they are not torque-to-yield style. Small block chevy bolts are torqued to 65 lb/ft (in 3 steps) so you might want to check your service manual to be sure, but if you are just going for stock hp, then I would just reuse the same bolts.
The FSM didn't mention new head bolts so I reused the old ones. The heads haven't fallen off yet, so I guess it's OK.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
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From: South-central Missouri
Back in my misspent youth, we'd pull the heads off the 327 SBC (dirt track racing) motors several times a season - always reused the head bolts. Never a problem (with the bolts). And, FWIW, the same is true for the LT5
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,064
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From: Kingwood Texas
Just dropped of the heads at westside performance in Houston should have them back next week I am going to get new head bolts I am still trying to decide the best head gaskets to get.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Riverside County Southern California
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12-point bolts: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/arp-134-3701