The Adventures of Ash and Baby Taco

So looking at it from my point of view, beings that you have the cams out already, pulling the head consists of draining the coolant, taking off your intake and exhaust, and that's really it besides the head bolts, and the miscellaneous sensors and electrical wires you'll have.

 

Gotta pull the timing cover too. So alternator/belts.

 

Just went back through and found a picture of the head, and you're right. I was trying to see what else you would have to take off, but can't really see much.

 

Simply put, this is all that has to be done to remove the head. The things in red are done. Ill be draining the coolant friday morning/night whenever I can. Probably get started in on the intake and exhaust manifolds too.

• Drain the engine coolant.
• Remove the valve cover.
• Remove the intake manifold.
• Remove the exhaust manifold.
• Remove the alternator.
• Remove the timing chain cover.
• Remove the camshafts, rocker arms and lash adjusters .
• Disconnect the coolant hoses from the cylinder head.
• Disconnect the wiring from the coolant temperature sensor.
• Label and remove any remaining items, such as coolant fittings, brackets, tubes, cables and hoses.
• Disconnect and remove the wiring harness brackets.
• Loosen the cylinder head bolts.
• Lift the cylinder head off the engine block.

 

Also, pretty sure that if we leave the hood attached, I can leave the timing chain tied to it and I won't have to bother with timing when it comes time to install it again.

 

Wow! sounds like a good plan forming, BabyTaco will be back at it soon. Glad to hear

 

One can hope. I start work the following week of the engine party. If I am lucky I can get the head back the following week and install the last weekend of spring break.

 

So what's the plan at this point?
Pulling the engine, which is fairly straightforward and quick for the brain trust..
or pulling the head and trying to get it back together that day? After beers?
Or just pull the head and call it a day?

Minor damage has happened at this point, having a bunch of helpful dudes in the mix is asking for more.

imo, you have been down this long, pull the entire thing and let a good mechanic get it back to snuff. Then re-install the completed engine and be done with it.

 

I was thinking just pull the head and call it a day. Part of me wants to just pull it, let the guy take care of it and be done. It seems straight forward to pull the head, and reinstall it but maybe I am wrong?

The friend I talked to yesterday said it would be a lot easier and quicker to pull the head rather than the engine. Not sure about the truth in that but it would save me money. Reinstall seems easy minus the timing, but if we keep the chain tight it should remain in place. This was also suggested by the machine shop owner.

 

I am also not entirely how much room an engine pull takes. My truck barely fits in the garage currently. The drive way has a bit of a flat spot before it starts to slant down. I was under the impression you just pull the engine out but it sounds like most people pull the tranny and engine together? Doubt there is enough room for that.

 

As long as he doesn't machine the bottom of the head and there is nothing. Wring with the cylinders or walls. You could just pull the head.

That said. Be way easier to pull it on and engine stand then in the truck.

 

What would is matter if he machined the bottom of the head?

Called him to ask about pricing on head vs engine and he didn't have a definitive answer. I also asked if he found any shops that he thought would help me...also a no. At least not for anything reasonable on price. He did mention that one of the techs that works with him may be interested in doing the work. I have to call back tomorrow and find out costs for everything. He is also going to talk to the tech and see what he thinks.

 

If he machines the bottom like you would for a MHG then you need to use a thicker gasket that is metal to keep the compresion ratio. The same. You'd also need to the block and timing cover machined and have to use a MHG at that point.

Long as he leaves you just get a new OEM on and you'll be fine.

 

Makes sense. I doubt it will have to be machined but what do I know.

 

Got slammed with homework this week. I have to get 2 papers finished and some time consuming data analysis by friday. Also assigned two large projects over spring break.

 

ANNNND the engine party is off. The guy that came and looked at my truck is offering his help @$50/hr. He is doing this because he hates to see an awesome little truck sit and go to waste. We are going to start with pulling the head, then decide from there where to go. My guess is we won't have to go farther than that but who knows.

Question, we have to tow my truck to the shop. If I remove the rear drive shaft, the truck should be completely disconnected from the engine, correct? In the state it is, I can not have the engine turn.

 

Yeah, pull the drive shaft and tow away. Or put it in neutral and and have it cranked up onto a flat bed.

 

Trans in neutral, t-case in neutral, should be alright, or just pull the drive line at the diff, and strap it to the frame.

 

well cool, glad you found somebody that can get it done.

 

Just leave it in neutral. Nothing would turn the motor.