Matt H

Well, I thought that last night I would remove some stuff to take to the powder coater so I could do it all at once. I take off the hose that goes from the top of the head to (god knows where at this point the car is so far apart), it is the one with the metal "hose" and short section of hose attaching it together.

I figure that it might look good PCed to match. Well I remove the hose and then I say to myself that the mount (hose to head mount) might look good that way too so I go to remove it. Every hole in the head is plugged except one (the one I am working with). You can all guess that the bolt fell in that hole. No problem removing it but I think it might have had a washer which is no where to be found. GD

It appears I am going to remove the head, better safe than sorry (unless someone knows for SURE that only 1 bolt has a washer on it, cuz one still does).

1) I have pretty easy access to it, the header is on but the rest of the exhaust is not, can it be removed as one unit (i.e. do I have to pull the headers off?)

2) Do I need to pull the cam tower off or can the head come off as a unit. It was recently rebuilt so no need to screw with the head itself, unless someone has a suggestion for more flow since it is off.

3) Which one of the full metal gaskets should I order? Anyone have a preference of one to the other? Goal is 375HP at 18-20 psi.

All things considered it is not too bad, to be honest as much power as I am trying to make it makes sense to replace the gasket and the headers were probably going to have to come off to be tapped for the EGT sensor, so I am not that mad about it. Whatever suggestions will be taken, thanks for the rant time.
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

Ski

Matt, you've got the head on,,,the cam tower on, the bolt fell in the coolant hole? Got an extension magnet?

Matt H

Ski - I have an extension magnet and while I got the bolt I cannot see or find a washer and I would sure hate to be wrong, if you know what I mean. It isnt that much work as much of the car is apart but it was not in my plans.

If someone will post a pic of an engine bay with intake off I can circle the "hole".
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

Ski

Your talking about the rectangular one at the back of the head, on the intake side. So if there was a washer on it, could still be in there or could be down around the cylinder walls. Hmmm, well if you've got the cam tower on the head, it's got to come off to get the other head bolts. If you want the MLS gasket, call Performance Developments, search all the "head gasket" threads in the last three months for the front bolt sealant ideas.

You've gone this far to get it right, no since in shortcuts now.

Sorry, but I would pull it.

Matt H

No problem, I am going to pull it. It is actually at the front of the head right above the timing belt covers.
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

Matt H

It is the hole that is left when this is removed.
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

mochman

I just looked at mine there wasn't a washer on it, but I still agree with ready to be safe than sorry, once I used a ext. mag on a flxible shaft and snaked a bolt up through the intake on a car .

Duke

That is BAD luck!!

Alright to answer your questions:
1) No problem removing the head with the headers on.

2) The cam tower needs to be removed in order to get to all the head bolts.

BTW, I removed the very same water jacket yesterday (along with the head) but I can't recall any washers. But you never know!

Edit: oops didn't see that Ski already answered some of the questions!

David Floyd

I am sure you already have but search all the nooks and crannys before any disassembly.

Look behind the timing belt cover.

Matt H

mochman - the washers are down in the hole you cannot see them until you remove the bolts!

Duke - thanks. How long did it take you?

David - already did, cant find it anywhere. The top section (it bolts onto one part and that part bolts onto the head) only had one washer so it is possible that it didnt have one. Too much time/money invested to be wrong with that guess though.
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

Duke

The first time I pulled the head it took me extremely long time (like weeks..),
but now the second time it took less then a day!

If the fuel rail is out, and the headers are disconnected to the crossover, the head can be pulled in a couple of hours!

mochman

yea, after I posted I unbolted one on my spare motor and guess what no washers, but that seems kind of silly it should have one seeing as just about everything else does. I'm going back to sleep now.

Matt H

Rail is out, headers are disconnected, I figure a few hours, I have pulled other heads before.
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote

David Floyd

If it fell thru the head would it not be in the coolant area around the #1 cylinder ? Maybe pull the waterpump instead of the head ??

Anybody have a pic of the underside of the head to see if it could have gone thru the head ?

Matt H

David - possibly but I have been thinking about upgrading to the cometic gasket anyhow, no time like the present.
__________________
Best Car Insurance | Auto Protection Today | FREE Trade-In Quote