Carl Gatto

I am getting ready do pull the heads on my Z this weekend and send them off to AHP along with putting a cam in. I've read and re read all the how to's. I was just seeing if anyone had any last minute tips, tricks, advice for this project. I believe I have all of the necessary items from Kohl's at AHP. If anyone has any advice or things I may have forgotten please feel free to lend some knowledge thanks. Carl

outhouse

Put cardboard before jack stands to catch the few drops that escape the steering rack.


Have you HB and cover install tools ready before you start. I made my own.

Carl Gatto

Good to know!!! I'm sure it will get messy always does... I have the balancer install tool... Is the front cover install tool really that necessary? I know some say it is...some say it isn't. im sure if it's not perfectly centered your going to have a leak.

outhouse

I used a large flattipped screwdriver that helped me center it left to right, the factory did not set up and down, nor is there a way to adjust.

Carl Gatto

Gotcha good to know. Is it possible to leave the cover bolts slightly loose and run the balancer on using that to center it then tighten down the cover once I believe I have it centered?

outhouse

I think the wrench is hard to get into the lower bolts with the HB on.


Pretty simple to eyeball

Carl Gatto

Gotcha ok thanks for the heads up.

American Heritage

The front cover install tool assures you get it perfectly centered and will not have any leaks. We always use one when installing front covers in our shop.

However just for the sake of knowledge: if your on a island with no cover alignment tool to be found you could put the cover on bolts finger tight, seat your balancer, turn it over by hand a few times then use an open ended wrench to tighten down the cover bolts that you cant get a torque wrench on. This works but is not textbook correct and is not how we do it in our shop. We always use the cover alignment tool.

http://www.americanheritageperformance.com/

milosav2

Be careful when reinstalling the power steering hardlines, they are quite easy to strip. Given the very little amount of wiggle room and awkward angles of the lines, make sure you are going in straight. If you feel any resistance back out and try again.

But most importantly keep track of every single part in zip-lock bags and labeling them with a permanent marker. Take your time, and if you have any question shoot Kohle a message or ask on here.

The install is fairly easy, just a lot to do. The only difficult parts were removal/reinstall of the steering rack and radiator.

rjacobs

My oil cooler lines had clips that pulled out then the lines pulled straight out. I have the "old" style oil cooler though in my 07.

milosav2

Hmm, the ones going to the rack and pinion on the steering rack here:

rjacobs

you need to say power steering hard lines, NOT oil cooler lines.

two completely separate things.

milosav2

Sorry, you're right.

outhouse

You mean cross thread LOL

milosav2

Carl Gatto

Thanks guys for the tips!!!! Everything went fairly well worked on it for 8hrs Friday night and another 6 or so on Saturday. With the help of a few buddies got the old cam out, new cam back in. Along with getting the rack, radiator, and whatever else we could get back into the car while I wait for the heads to come back from AHP all in all pretty straight forward job just lots to do. Here's a few pics from th swap

outhouse

LOL I used blue tape as well, just not as liberal


Would be a good time to roll it out and pressure wash that filthy ac condenser, I put 2 plastic garbage bags over the motor waiting for heads.


Your almost there now!!

Unreal

I removed my condenser and cleaned it. What a difference. Should almost be yearly maintenance in dusty/hot environments.

MTPZ06

Nice work! What cam did you go with? I see you already have the LT's...doing anything with the intake or TB along with the H/C install?

Carl Gatto

Thanks!! I went with AHP stage 3 cam. Not sure of the specs Kohle told me over the phone and didn't write them down when he told me and the cam card was forgotten in the box when he sent it... it has long tubes, high flow cats, and a halltech intake. Plans are to do a msd and nw eventually. The cost of the heads,shipping, and all the other miscellaneous things that go with the install ate up most of my budget for this year. But that's the plan eventually. Maybe Kohle can divulge the actual specs of that cam.