What do I do now? Do I HAVE to remove the rocker assembly to get the head off? If so, why? All the head bolts are accessible without doing so. I rather just have one less thing to reassemble if it is not needed.
You don't have to remove it to remove the head, but you will need to remove it to bolt the head back on. Unless you have twelve hands to help you set the pushrods back under the rocker arms, while holding the head and trying to align it with the gasket.
You can always loosen them and pull the push rods out.
And place some rags in the intake valley to sop up the coolant that will dump when you pull the head. It also keeps any sealant or gasket pieces from falling though the oil drain holes.
You can always loosen them and pull the push rods out.
And place some rags in the intake valley to sop up the coolant that will dump when you pull the head. It also keeps any sealant or gasket pieces from falling though the oil drain holes.
i can tell you from experience that trying to remove the head without removing the rocker arm assembly will result in you having to be an octopus to keep everything straight. getting the head back on is even worse. do yourself a favor and remove the rocker arm assembly.