Need Head Installation Advice
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 390
Likes: 126
From: Franklin, TN
Need Head Installation Advice
1993 Ruby. I removed my heads and had them cleaned and milled at a local machine shop. When I tried to reinstall the heads I was unable to get the alignment pins to insert into the heads. This happened on both sides of the engine. I can get 1 end or the other to insert but not both at the same time. Needless to say, I tried more times than I probably should have to get them in, so it was not for lack of effort. I did not replace the dowel/alignment pins but have ordered some to do so. Maybe they got out of alignment during the removal of the heads.
Has anyone had this issue or does anyone have any advice? The machine shop is closed until Monday so I can't talk with anyone there this weekend. Should the dowel holes on the heads have a chamfer edge for easier alignment? Just a shot in the dark question, mine do not.
Also, does anyone have an effective method for removing the dowels without the removal tool kit?
Has anyone had this issue or does anyone have any advice? The machine shop is closed until Monday so I can't talk with anyone there this weekend. Should the dowel holes on the heads have a chamfer edge for easier alignment? Just a shot in the dark question, mine do not.
Also, does anyone have an effective method for removing the dowels without the removal tool kit?
Last edited by jrobin1; Jan 2, 2021 at 01:16 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,500
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From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
You'll never get the dowels out of the block. Tough to do.
if the heads were milled more than likely there is some material hanging on in the dowel pin holes. They don't have a chamfer to them. You can lightly open the hole up to get them to fit. I'm not saying drill it out larger, just saying to get rid of the flash from the mill work.
if the heads were milled more than likely there is some material hanging on in the dowel pin holes. They don't have a chamfer to them. You can lightly open the hole up to get them to fit. I'm not saying drill it out larger, just saying to get rid of the flash from the mill work.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 390
Likes: 126
From: Franklin, TN
Thanks for the advice. I was able to remove 1 of the dowels at the front of the engine. The dowels in the rear are in such a tight place that I am not sure I could remove them with a puller tool. I didn't see any major obstruction but I took a drill bit the size of the hole and gently drill them all out. I did get a fair amount of metal shavings. I will give it a go tomorrow on installation for the left side. I destroyed the right side dowel that I removed and will have to wait until my order arrives.
Also, do you think it is possible to bend the dowels in the normal course of removing and installing the heads?? My right side rear dowel looks like it is slightly leaning to the rear of the engine. It seems like it would take a hell of a lot of leverage to do that and maybe I am just looking for a reason that the head won't fit.
Also, do you think it is possible to bend the dowels in the normal course of removing and installing the heads?? My right side rear dowel looks like it is slightly leaning to the rear of the engine. It seems like it would take a hell of a lot of leverage to do that and maybe I am just looking for a reason that the head won't fit.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,500
Likes: 878
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Half the time I get heads back that were milled I have to clean the holes out a tiny bit to fit dowels. No biggie.
As far as a pin being bent? Thats a tough one. Those pins are pretty hard. Don't see how one could be damaged but it can happen. If it feels roughed up then yeah replace it but thats pretty rare. Surprised you got one out they are usually very difficult to remove.
As far as a pin being bent? Thats a tough one. Those pins are pretty hard. Don't see how one could be damaged but it can happen. If it feels roughed up then yeah replace it but thats pretty rare. Surprised you got one out they are usually very difficult to remove.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 390
Likes: 126
From: Franklin, TN
Thanks to all of you for the advice and counsel. I drilled and cleaned the dowel holes in the heads last night. This morning I installed the head on the driver's side and, if I had not drilled the dowel that I removed yesterday, I would probably be able to install the psg side head. It didn't just drop on easily but after checking everything else, and knowing what you all had told me, I put a bolt on each bottom end and one in the top middle and very gently pulled it in place.
This is a great forum for the inexperienced owner to get answers. Thanks again.
This is a great forum for the inexperienced owner to get answers. Thanks again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,032
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From: Greenwood Indiana
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
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It may not hurt to double check the casting #s on the heads to make sure you got the right ones back from the machine shop. 
Complete list of SBC #s here - https://www.corvetteactioncenter.com...gines-286.html
Complete list of SBC #s here - https://www.corvetteactioncenter.com...gines-286.html
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