taking off heads ...

[BlackVert]

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]

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]

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]

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

 

[HISSIN50]

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]

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

 

[AznStanger3v]

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

 

[blkcobra50]

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!