LinkandCuff

I was changing the plugs on my car and i managed to cross thread #8 cylinder.

Can i just unbolt the exhaust manifold and be able to pull the passenger head off? (once the intake is off)

LinkandCuff

I'm only pulling the head to fix the threads with a helicoil kit

LouisvilleLT4

If I remember right there were a whole lot more steps. You need to get the car's gigantic official Helm's manual (not to be confused with the inferior unofficial Haynes and Hilton type manuals) to obtain the steps the factory uses for repairs. Ordering your FSM (Helm's manual) is like a rite of passage here.

When you put the head back on be sure to use a beam-type torque wrench, because my click-type one gave wrong results and rounded a lot of bolts.

THE 383 admiral

as above. Not impossible. thankfully the PS manifold is the easiest. Drop the air tube / manifold. pull the oil dipstick, mark and unplug connectors. fuel lines, throttle cable all related to the intake, PS reservoir, Coil & ICM / bracket. EGR and Air tube Ground, AUTO = filler tube? coolant line. back side of PS head. Valve cover. depending on mileage. I would recommend. pulling both heads. much more work. Alternator, AC out of the way. ASR. all related brackets, AIR tube, more grounds & coolant line on the back side of the DS head. New MLS gaskets. and ARP 12point bolts. the 6 point does have limited access on the rear bolts. I have had great results with a craftsman digi torque. Also I picked up a eastwood digital torque adapter. met up with MAC & Snap-on truck. challenged them both. the eastwood Digi torque. was more consistent with the readings on multi pulls. the click reading was inconsistent. but WELL within specs.

LinkandCuff

The car has 65k. I plan on doing a head/cam swap maybe next year. My time is limited due to a car trip coming up so I'll just pull the passenger head.

I understand what needs to come off already but my question is specific to if I can just unbolt the manifold and not take it out to pull the head. The bolts look pretty rusty and may be problematic.

THE 383 admiral

yes, you can easily Un-bolt the PS exhaust Manifold. and pull the PS head. I'm sure you are concerned with the collector tri-bolts. Almost guaranteed to break!

Kevova

It is possible to repair spark plug hole without pulling head. I would take a look at that possibility with exhaust manifold removed. Then remove head if its something you don't want to attempt. There are tools designed specifically for head on thread repair. If you have any doubts about exhaust manifold studs replace them while its off.

RUU

Bump.
LinkandCuff, were you able to remove the head with just disconnecting the exhaust manifold from the head? I have a minor head gasket leak that I was living with, but a bad lifter has forced my hand into going into the intake now anyway...

LinkandCuff

I had to remove the manifold. Even if its possible to remove the head with the manifold you would still want to remove the manifold.

PatternDayTrader

This is what would be happening if it were my car or if the car were in my shop.