Doing headgasket any tricks?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
From: vero beach florida
Doing headgasket any tricks?
Finally going to do the headgasket and is there any tricks to get the bolts out?
2nd, been hearing valve train noise, hoping it is the header leaking. But what do I look for as far as a burnt valve or dead lifter?
Been a LONNGGG time since I did any head work.
Thanks!!
2nd, been hearing valve train noise, hoping it is the header leaking. But what do I look for as far as a burnt valve or dead lifter?
Been a LONNGGG time since I did any head work.
Thanks!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
Bolts should not be a problem...use 6 point sockets.
Before you get that far....take pictures of everything. Label all wires, hoses, bolts etc. The bolts that were on my stock runners were different sizes..so I even labeled each bolt.
I usually take a cardboard box and draw the outline of the two heads on the box and punch holes.....each pushrod goes in place and all head bolts the same. To get them back in the same place.
If your bolts are stock, I think you will want to replace with new ARP bolts. Don't forget to use sealant on head bolts and anti-seize on any metal bolt going into aluminum.
Best of luck.
Before you get that far....take pictures of everything. Label all wires, hoses, bolts etc. The bolts that were on my stock runners were different sizes..so I even labeled each bolt.
I usually take a cardboard box and draw the outline of the two heads on the box and punch holes.....each pushrod goes in place and all head bolts the same. To get them back in the same place.
If your bolts are stock, I think you will want to replace with new ARP bolts. Don't forget to use sealant on head bolts and anti-seize on any metal bolt going into aluminum.
Best of luck.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
From: vero beach florida
Bolts should not be a problem...use 6 point sockets.
Before you get that far....take pictures of everything. Label all wires, hoses, bolts etc. The bolts that were on my stock runners were different sizes..so I even labeled each bolt.
I usually take a cardboard box and draw the outline of the two heads on the box and punch holes.....each pushrod goes in place and all head bolts the same. To get them back in the same place.
If your bolts are stock, I think you will want to replace with new ARP bolts. Don't forget to use sealant on head bolts and anti-seize on any metal bolt going into aluminum.
Best of luck.
Before you get that far....take pictures of everything. Label all wires, hoses, bolts etc. The bolts that were on my stock runners were different sizes..so I even labeled each bolt.
I usually take a cardboard box and draw the outline of the two heads on the box and punch holes.....each pushrod goes in place and all head bolts the same. To get them back in the same place.
If your bolts are stock, I think you will want to replace with new ARP bolts. Don't forget to use sealant on head bolts and anti-seize on any metal bolt going into aluminum.
Best of luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1
From: Jasper Texas
Any logical answer i've heard to the question has made me counter with the question of, "so why not replace them then?"
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 679
Likes: 0
From: vero beach florida
I know this is the standard practice when removing heads, pushrods go back in the same place...but if i may ask...why?? By math, it shouldn't make a bit of difference.
Any logical answer i've heard to the question has made me counter with the question of, "so why not replace them then?"
Any logical answer i've heard to the question has made me counter with the question of, "so why not replace them then?"
Anybody know howto tell if a lifter is dead?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
Part of the push rod back exactly where it came from is old school when using formed rocker arms. The arms were not exact (ratio would actually vary from 1.42 to 1.5) AND the rod would ware against the arm. Since materials back then were not the greatest, ware patterns would be different. I rebuilt a 350 back in 74 with only 12,000 miles on it and placed the rods exactly where they came from....only to have half the arms flow oil!
Ended up replacing half the arms and rods.
Ended up replacing half the arms and rods.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,065
Likes: 1
From: Jasper Texas
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,837
Likes: 338
From: Database Error Indiana
No reason to buy new unless the tips are showing wear.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Tampa Florida
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
PULL the knock sensors on each side to finish draining the block.
Use the permatex sealer for the head bolts that go into the water jacket (IIRC its all of them on top. Don't remember if the ones below the manifold go into water or not)
Be careful of the steam tube between the back of the heads.
Use the permatex sealer for the head bolts that go into the water jacket (IIRC its all of them on top. Don't remember if the ones below the manifold go into water or not)
Be careful of the steam tube between the back of the heads.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 199
Likes: 1
From: Asheboro NC
PULL the knock sensors on each side to finish draining the block.
Use the permatex sealer for the head bolts that go into the water jacket (IIRC its all of them on top. Don't remember if the ones below the manifold go into water or not)
Be careful of the steam tube between the back of the heads.
Use the permatex sealer for the head bolts that go into the water jacket (IIRC its all of them on top. Don't remember if the ones below the manifold go into water or not)
Be careful of the steam tube between the back of the heads.
thanks for the tip.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 7,999
Likes: 14
From: Life is just one big track event. Everything before and after is prep and warm-up and cool-down laps
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
St. Jude Donor '12
The LT1 has a steam tube at the back of the heads IIRC the L98 didn't, but check your FSM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland Florida
Take pictures, lots of pictures.
Pull the battery and don't put it back in until everything is hooked back up, everything!!!
The best thing I did when I changed my gaskets was to take lots of pictures so I could put things back together.
Pull the battery and don't put it back in until everything is hooked back up, everything!!!
The best thing I did when I changed my gaskets was to take lots of pictures so I could put things back together.