Maintenance to do while doing PI headswap

Miles

Founding Member

Aug 14, 2001

1,225

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Burlington, ON

Apr 8, 2006

#1

• Apr 8, 2006

• #1

I'll be getting new spark plugs with the headswap kit, but wondering what else I should while the car is in pieces..

I'm thinking:

1. Clean exterior of fuel injectors
2. Flush radiator coolant reservoir
3. Flush radiator hoses
4. Replace power steering fluid
5. Replace coolant
6. Change oil and filter

Any additional thoughts, other than a good clean of course

 

MyEarsHurt

New Member

May 21, 2004

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0

Apr 8, 2006

#2

• Apr 8, 2006

• #2

I did all that and also replaced the water pump, just to be on the safe side. But I also painted everything while it was out of the engine bay. I painted the following:

- valve covers
- coolant reservoir
- Intake
- Timing cover
- Alternator

Here is a good shot of the timing cover...

Here is the intake painted....

Valve Covers...

And the total package

PM me if you want some more info...and good luck with the swap

 

stangGT97

New Member

Dec 22, 2004

1,299

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Boston area, MA

Apr 8, 2006

#3

• Apr 8, 2006

• #3

damn that looks awesome!

 

four six

Member

Jan 19, 2006

506

2

18

Hobart, IN

Apr 8, 2006

#4

• Apr 8, 2006

• #4

OMG what type of paint did you use? that looks awesome

 

40th GT

New Member

Apr 7, 2004

916

0

0

Lawrenceville, GA

Apr 8, 2006

#5

• Apr 8, 2006

• #5

Miles said:

I'll be getting new spark plugs with the headswap kit, but wondering what else I should while the car is in pieces..

I'm thinking:

1. Clean exterior of fuel injectors
2. Flush radiator coolant reservoir
3. Flush radiator hoses
4. Replace power steering fluid
5. Replace coolant
6. Change oil and filter

Any additional thoughts, other than a good clean of course

Click to expand...

I would add the following to the list, if they haven't been done in the past 30k miles.
-transmission fluid change
-rear end fluid
-bleed the brakes
-air filter
-fuel filter
-inspect serpentine belt

 

DBMSTNG

I fantasize about it being BIG!

Founding Member

Apr 23, 2002

2,120

0

56

not quite here

Apr 8, 2006

#6

• Apr 8, 2006

• #6

if the cam gear on the crankshaft is the 2 piece design, upgrade to the 1 piece. check the timing chains as well. they should be fine, but it doesn't hurt to check when you already have the engine apart.

 

Miles

Founding Member

Aug 14, 2001

1,225

0

0

Burlington, ON

Apr 8, 2006

#7

• Apr 8, 2006

• #7

Cheers guys. I've got 89K Km (~ 55K miles) on it, and have never changed the rear end or transmission fluid - good calls.

MyEarHurts,
I PM'd you re paint type, # of coats, etc, but looks like you may as well post it - again, awesome job!

 

TangerineGT96

New Member

Sep 24, 2005

134

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0

arkansas

Apr 8, 2006

#8

• Apr 8, 2006

• #8

MyEarsHurt-your motor looks sweet man,the intake looks like metal NICE JOB!!!

 

CobraM23

Founding Member

Oct 16, 2002

266

1

16

Johnson City, TN

Apr 8, 2006

#9

• Apr 8, 2006

• #9

Another one is clean the carbon buildup off the top of the pistons.

 

MyEarsHurt

New Member

May 21, 2004

918

0

0

Apr 9, 2006

#10

• Apr 9, 2006

• #10

Its a duplicolor high temp paint (rated at like 1500 degrees or something...overkill I know but I wasnt repainting that bitch). I spent endless hours prepping it and getting all the oil off of everything then I just put on a coat, dried with a hairdryer and repeated, 3-4 coats on everything. The worst part was the striping on the valve covers because I had to tape off everything over and over again.

 

B

bluestreak_96gt

Member

Mar 31, 2005

51

0

6

Jacksonville, Florida

Apr 10, 2006

#11

• Apr 10, 2006

• #11

Yeah man your shat I ****ing sweet, I painted my components bright azz yellow. Looked good, till it went on a few backroads...

 

2

296blackstangs

New Member

Mar 1, 2004

22

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0

NW New Jersey

Apr 11, 2006

#12

• Apr 11, 2006

• #12

definately take the time to clean the carbon off especially since its going to be higher comp....also take compressed air and blow out the water jacket holes there will still be coolent in there that didn come out...messy but worth iimo

 

M

mrshl13

New Member

Jan 13, 2004

57

0

0

Apr 11, 2006

#13

• Apr 11, 2006

• #13

Replace gaskets except maybe the valve cover gaskets.

 

DTNODYA

Member

Dec 15, 2005

831

1

16

Apr 11, 2006

#14

• Apr 11, 2006

• #14

You may want to clean your plentum and TB, mine were nasty when I installed my intake so I cleaned em. Inspect your O-rings on your injectors .. one of mine was shot. Everything else I did has already been mentioned. Good luck with the swap.

 

Miles

Founding Member

Aug 14, 2001

1,225

0

0

Burlington, ON

Apr 11, 2006

#15

• Apr 11, 2006

• #15

Thanks again all for chimming in. INstead of painting my valve covers, I think I might pick up the BBK polished valve covers.

Two things though - 1. the bolts were replaced by allen bolts (prone to stripping?) and 2. slightly larger, and hence harder to fit in.

Anyone w/ experience? Doesn't seem that many people have these...