How difficult is this? I assume not all that bad. I want to complete my mid HO swap and put some HO heads on. Any special tools required? I assume its just unbolt, remove, slap on a new gasket, bolt down new ones?
You've pretty much got it. You know you'll have to unbolt pretty much everything that bolts onto the motor except the mounts, obviously. All the front accessories and exhaust manifolds/headers. Also want to make sure the bolt holes in the block are clean, gasket mating surfaces are clean, good new gaskets and torque the heads down in the specified order and ft-lbs.
Pick up a new set of head bolts too. The originals are torque to yeild, meaning they are only good for one install.
If your doing the heads you should spend the little extra time and put a different cam in too.
You should go ahead and replace all the bolts you can. Not only the head bolts but the intake manifold bolts and valve cover bolts as well. It's cheap insurance that everything is torqued properly and won't break.
I'd use 1.7 rr maybe new springs and seals and lap the valves. the 1.7 ratio will efectively increase your lift and duration.
louie
Get a complete engine gasket set, this will include the valve seals aswell as anything else you might need.
Get a nice long pry bar to pry the exhaust manifolds apart incase you cant get them unboolted from the y-pipe.
Scott
I unbolted my headers from the heads,but not the exhaust.Just let them hang there.Do replace the bolts.Get good gaskets,and stay away from the cheap stuff just to save a few bucks.Buy quality parts and do it right the first time.
Torque it down properly and have the heads checked by a machine shop let them mill them true don’t do the job twice.
Yeah, I just left the exhaust manifolds hang there as well. They didn't get in the way any. There is definitely no need to unbolt them from the exhaust unless you're replacing them.
I agree with having a machine shop check them.It actually doesn't cost that much to have them work 'em up for you.$150 for the pair of mine.They should be done anytime,and I've alreay got my ported E-7's sold.
When I install the distributor I use an old cap that I cut off the number one terminal so I can see where the rotor is lining up.