HELP! Removing heads from LS3

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Dec 23, 2016 | 11:17 AM

08Z51

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From: Baton Rouge LA

HELP! Removing heads from LS3

I have the passenger side head ready to pull. On the driver side I can't figure out how to pull the power steering pump and bracket off. There doesn't seem to be enough clearance to get to the bolts for the power steering pump. Is it required to remove the entire radiator to remove the driver side head? (In order to get access to bolts on the power steering pump? I can't find a video or pictures of the head removal with engine in car and radiator in place.

Thanks

Dec 23, 2016 | 11:22 AM

realcanuk

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From: Montreal

St. Jude Donor '13

Unbolt the alternator bracket and it can move enough to pull the head. No reason to unbolt the PS pump itself.

Dec 23, 2016 | 11:50 AM

08Z51

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Joined: Nov 2007

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From: Baton Rouge LA

Quote:

Originally Posted by realcanuk

Unbolt the alternator bracket and it can move enough to pull the head. No reason to unbolt the PS pump itself.

I assume I need to loosen the lower bolt first then the bolt behind the pulley? Do you have to use a special long handle wrench to get to the lower bolt? I tried to attach a picture. I can loosen the two upper bolts and I've removed the alternator.

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Dec 23, 2016 | 12:30 PM

realcanuk

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From: Montreal

St. Jude Donor '13

Use whatever reaches to loosen it. If I remember right I didn't actually remove it. Just loosen it all the way so that you can move the bracket away from the head.

Dec 23, 2016 | 03:54 PM

User Omega

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From: Indianapolis IN

Dec 23, 2016 | 03:55 PM

User Omega

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From: Indianapolis IN

Reference thread. Head swap will be nearly identical.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-headswap.html

Dec 23, 2016 | 03:56 PM

realcanuk

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From: Montreal

St. Jude Donor '13

Quote:

Originally Posted by User Omega

Don't need to do all that. I don't touch the abs when taking off my heads.

Dec 23, 2016 | 04:02 PM

User Omega

Melting Slicks

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From: Indianapolis IN

It just makes it easier and doesn't take 20 mins extra to do. He obviously hasn't don't this before. He can use or it not. I am just posting info that may be of some help to the OP. I have never pulled heads without changing something up front like balancer rebuild, cam swap, etc..

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Dec 23, 2016 | 04:09 PM

realcanuk

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Joined: Apr 2011

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From: Montreal

St. Jude Donor '13

Quote:

Originally Posted by User Omega

Whatever is easier I guess. My heads are off right now, and as you can see, I just loosened that alternator bracket. It only has to move a little bit to the front to allow the head to come off. I like to do as little as possible.