Well, only about two real work hours done in 5 hours total. Two trips to the store and a trip to get food cut some time out of the work. Here's where I'm at.....





All the brackets on the drivers side are off the head, the passenger runner is a torx bolt away from being gone. Then the intake will come off. Next will be the a/c and brackets, then the exhaust. Still got a long ways to go, but getting there! I hope to be done by midnight or so......

I found out that the cheap torx bits from Autozone are not strong enough to get a single torx bolt out. Interestingly, the top removal tool is much stronger, but can only reach a few torx bolts! I've used a few of Autozones torx bits and will return the last one when I'm done.... Putting it together won't be as hard on them!

 

Get a nice torx set from Sears. I always broke the cheap ones.

Good progress so far.

Vic

 

I did the same thing with the torx and then finally went and bought a good set of craftsman.

Those heads look like they have quite a bit of oil sludge on them. I would have them all cleaned before reinstalling them. Might just be the pic though.

Just take your time and do everything right. Might even be worth redoing the valve seats, and all new valve equipment.

Good luck.

 

In case you're tempted, DO NOT use air tools with Torx Bits! They'll first jump one tooth, then Round out the torx bolt, THEN ruin the bit.

I got a set of either Sears or Napa Torx bits, THEN had to replace the most popular (T-50?) bit with a Matco part.

 

I thought you said something about a head job? I couldn't resist the pun.

Drain the oil out if you have any coolant in it and than change again after a few hundred miles when it is back together.

Good luck

 

Get them ported!!! milled a bit....roller rockers...come on Craig.....if you need a spare pair of hands on thursday after work... hollar at me...i think i'm 2/3rds busy this weekend with super chevy and the lone star meet... if you need a hand or a gofer... i have some buds from work who might be able to get some more Ooomph out of your heads....

 

Hey man! Thursday the heads should be at the machine shop. I'm really pressed for time so I'm just going to go back with stock for now.... I know, I'll regret it later on, having it torn down this far and not do any performance stuff.... but I need to get the car back together quickly.

Thursday night I'll probably work on the timing chain and water pump. That's about it.

I should get the heads back Friday afternoon, and I'll start putting things back together then. All day Saturday is also looking like more head job. :D

Between now and the Cruise-in, I am pretty busy so that's why I need to get this done. My daughter has Kindergarten graduation Monday night, and Sunday I have to go help with the rehearsal and stuff. Tuesday night I need to pack and get to bed early for the drive on Wednesday. So I've got to get this buttoned up Saturday night.

I've got one head off now, and just need to remove a bracket, exhaust and rockers to do the other side. I'll be doing that in the morning and then take the heads in. Then I gotta work all day, and go in early on Friday. :crazy:


Anyway, feel free to drop by if you are in the area.... Don't know right now if I need help with anything, but it couldn't hurt!

 

Craig how are you going to do the timing chain? Do you have a gear puller and a balancer puller/installer? It's a bitch. :)

 

Yeah, I got a puller/installer thing when the damper on my '85 seperated :(

It's such a slow process getting that damn damper off. The crank bolt is already worked loose, though. I did that when all the stuff was still hooked up on the front. Luckily it wasn't too tight. The damn motor is just so freaking dirty! The whole timing chain/water pump area is about 1" of sludge.


I saw you got yours started tonight!!! :cheers:


That's always a great feeling. Even though you got some bugs to work out, it's still nice to know it's back to running shape. The funny idle might be because hypertech and the stock chip try to idle at 650 rpm, so it's hard for the idle to stabilize with that cam down low like that. I'm looking at your chip settings that I did, and the injectors are set for 26 lbs, which is what the Ford 24's would have been at stock pressure. With your pressure so high, it'll probably still run a bit rich. If you do get it back down, I'd try around 46-47lbs or so. The idle could be bad because of the high fuel pressure too. Stock injectors don't really like much more than 50lbs I've heard. I've also checked your idle speed in the chip, and it's set to 800, so it'll probably idle a bit higher than it is now.

Anyway, great job, the motor looks fantastic.

 

Hey craig,
I just came back from NC and seen your posts...damn I hope it works out for ya.I can just imagine the timing of it all is the killer.
Wanted to pass this advice along...not to get you worried but have those valve guides checked closely.These alloy heads wear em out pretty fast and the mileage you have,they may need work.Hope theyre still good to go for a while until the time comes you can rebuid everything to like new specs.

Just wanted to say Good Luck and hope it works out good.
:)