taking off heads ...

BlackVert

15 Year Member

Oct 3, 2003

5,589

9

98

Bethesda, MD

Sep 16, 2006

#1

• Sep 16, 2006

• #1

i'm starting the teardown for my 331 buildup and i want to take the heads off. i've never done it before.

i have the upper and lower off, and i have the bolts out of the headers.

how do you get to the other bolts near the collector? mine are all rusted, and they are kinda hard to see ... is the head on the underside? anyone know what size socket it is?

do i need to comletely remove the headers to get the heads off, or can i just unbolt them?

 

Killercanary

The car that set the bar.

Founding Member

Nov 29, 1999

5,676

1

76

Altoona, PA

Sep 16, 2006

#2

• Sep 16, 2006

• #2

You can usually get the heads off without removing the headers. Heck, keeping them on there makes it easier to lift them out. The lower head bolts can be tight to some header primaries, but generally there if enough room to get a socket on and get them out.

 

Killercanary

The car that set the bar.

Founding Member

Nov 29, 1999

5,676

1

76

Altoona, PA

Sep 16, 2006

#3

• Sep 16, 2006

• #3

DOH, I mis-read your post. I think you are refering to the bolts that hold the H pipe to the header., in that case you will need a number of extension's and possibly a swivel for the pass. side nuts. You get at them from under the car and they are just a nut on a stud that is screwed into the header. These often break if they're rusted up, so make sure to liberally spray it with blaster or something similar and let it sit for a while before trying to remove the nut. I don't remember what size it is unfortunately.

 

AznStanger3v

Active Member

Aug 11, 2003

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47

Northern VA

Sep 16, 2006

#4

• Sep 16, 2006

• #4

unbolt the headers from the heads. leave the midpipe connected to the headers and take the heads off. itll be fine, trust me

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

31,179

33

129

Sep 17, 2006

#5

• Sep 17, 2006

• #5

Chris, I don't know if you're like me, but personally, pics and captions are easier to ingest and interpret.

You might find this article useful. If nothing else, it's an ancillary resource.

Good luck bud.

 

BlackVert

15 Year Member

Oct 3, 2003

5,589

9

98

Bethesda, MD

Sep 17, 2006

#6

• Sep 17, 2006

• #6

thanks everyone. the heads won't slide off the block and hurt themselves after i break the gasket seals, will they?

 

AznStanger3v

Active Member

Aug 11, 2003

2,026

0

47

Northern VA

Sep 17, 2006

#7

• Sep 17, 2006

• #7

they are held on with dowels. they dont slide anywhere.

 

blkcobra50

New Member

Jul 24, 2006

209

0

0

Sep 17, 2006

#8

• Sep 17, 2006

• #8

get a good grip on them. They are heavy and you don't want to cause any fender damage when taking them off. aluminum is so much better!