LT1 Head Install - kicking myself

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Jun 27, 2011 | 10:18 AM

jmgtp

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Drifting

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LT1 Head Install - kicking myself

Reinstalling heads on my LT1 and I mixed up left head from right head. On they went and then the intake. Now, I see that I didn't install the steam tube, I go to install it, and the heads are plugged in the back of the motor and the holes for the steam tube in the front.

I was able to pull the plug out of the driver head without a problem, and even get it into the front of the driver head. Passenger head, the 'square' in the plug stripped and I have nothing to wrench on. It was sticking out just a tiny bit so I tried welding a nut to it so I'd have something to turn but the weld would break when I applied torque. I think I am stuck pulling the head so I can drill/ez out the plug but thought I'd check here so see if anyone has run into such a situation.

Can I put the steam tube on the passenger head in the front? I imagine not since I believe coolant flows front to back so any steam pockets are pushed to the back. Any other solutions that don't require pulling the head?

Jun 27, 2011 | 11:05 AM

1963SS

Drifting

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 1,647

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From: Argillite KY

You're not the first to do this. On my Impala I went to install the steam tube and couldn't get the banjo bolts to start. There were plugs in the damn holes.

. I tried everything but finally bit the bullet and put the heads on correctly. With the way that water flows through these heads I'm certain that the steam tube wants to be in the back.

Good luck

Jun 27, 2011 | 11:28 AM

jmgtp

Thread Starter

Drifting

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Thanks for the reply. Of course it was the one I didn't want to hear - pull the head!

Jun 27, 2011 | 03:07 PM

desertmike1

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2008

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From: Palmdale CA

Bummer dude!!

This is a seal I found at NAPA, that fit the Banjo bolt perfect..

Jun 27, 2011 | 03:29 PM

Churchkey

Melting Slicks

Joined: Sep 2008

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From: Cherokee National Forest TN

Just a suggestion.

Find a 1/2 nut that has an inside diameter about the size of the plug od. Weld around the inside of the nut to the plug & let it cool. You may need several weld passes.

GL

Jun 27, 2011 | 03:29 PM

hgh pwr

Racer

Joined: Nov 2002

Posts: 420

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From: palm harbor fl

Well everyone has done something wrong ,at least you were man enough to post it and I don't think I would .

Just buy new head gaskets and fix it right,you are out a little money and some time and I bet it will never happen again. good luck

Jun 28, 2011 | 08:29 AM

jmgtp

Thread Starter

Drifting

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Churchkey

Just a suggestion.

Find a 1/2 nut that has an inside diameter about the size of the plug od. Weld around the inside of the nut to the plug & let it cool. You may need several weld passes.

GL

Was one of the first things I tried. I couldn't get a good enough bead on it. There is very little space to get the MIG wand back there, I couldn't do more than a little spot weld. Snapped as soon as I put some real torque on it. When the head comes off and I can put a real bead all around it, that will be my preferred method of removal. I hate the thought of drilling it.

Jun 28, 2011 | 08:35 AM

cadmaniac

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 810

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From: Alva Florida

I thought I was the only one to do stuff like that. Really. I try so hard not to screw things up and then....stuff like this happens. Grrrrr.

I say there is a cost for the education you get when you work on cars. The cost of head gaskets is cheap compared to the cost of having someone who doesn't care about you car working on it.

Good Luck!!!