Blue Top Head Removal
Blue Top Head Removal
Ok I am trying to take apart my Blue Top but would like a little help before I start tearing it apart. Any guide lines would help out. Pics will be great too. Thanks for the Help.
Re: Blue Top Head Removal
Look up order of head stud removal it's very important.
Keep studs in order of removal, egg carton works great. Label cam end and DSide Pside.
*In 3 loosening stages:
1st step-Break loose each bolt in order, as you do re(finger)tighten. Prevents over loosening.
2nd step-ln order, loosen up to 1/4 turn. Releives tension from head.
3rd step-loosen another 1/4 of a turn.
You do not have to remove cam if you have a long narrow socket for the middle drivers side bolt.
You can rotate cam back and forth a little bit to get socket down then insert extension. (may be thinking 4ac)
(I leave the socket in place and use another for the rest)
*Be careful not to scratch cam journals. I use pliers to pull the middle bolt out.
Cover All coolant openings using plastic bags or tape.
Stuff cylinders with plastic bags and lint free towels on top* of bags.
*towels will help absorb liquids if going to use anything to remove gasket material.
Simple Green works Awesome over many "gunk" removers. Apply-let sit(10min) then remove what you can/repeat.
*!*!* Be Very careful with any solvent that breaks down Oil.
Prevent it with lint free shop towels, be generous so paper material is abit compact and able to "over" absorb vs liquid amount in use.
If removing gasket material with a razor, scrape Away from you with Edge down Towards you. This will work over time vs scraping your block. A scrape can give gases a vein to degrade further.
Copper wool works well being softer than iron wont easily mare surface, be Cautious of pieces breaking off while working.
Again a good reason to plug all cylinders and coolant openings.
Look up head stud removal order and keep bolts organized. Also look up wet torque using a small amount of oil for installation. GL!
Keep studs in order of removal, egg carton works great. Label cam end and DSide Pside.
*In 3 loosening stages:
1st step-Break loose each bolt in order, as you do re(finger)tighten. Prevents over loosening.
2nd step-ln order, loosen up to 1/4 turn. Releives tension from head.
3rd step-loosen another 1/4 of a turn.
You do not have to remove cam if you have a long narrow socket for the middle drivers side bolt.
You can rotate cam back and forth a little bit to get socket down then insert extension. (may be thinking 4ac)
(I leave the socket in place and use another for the rest)
*Be careful not to scratch cam journals. I use pliers to pull the middle bolt out.
Cover All coolant openings using plastic bags or tape.
Stuff cylinders with plastic bags and lint free towels on top* of bags.
*towels will help absorb liquids if going to use anything to remove gasket material.
Simple Green works Awesome over many "gunk" removers. Apply-let sit(10min) then remove what you can/repeat.
*!*!* Be Very careful with any solvent that breaks down Oil.
Prevent it with lint free shop towels, be generous so paper material is abit compact and able to "over" absorb vs liquid amount in use.
If removing gasket material with a razor, scrape Away from you with Edge down Towards you. This will work over time vs scraping your block. A scrape can give gases a vein to degrade further.
Copper wool works well being softer than iron wont easily mare surface, be Cautious of pieces breaking off while working.
Again a good reason to plug all cylinders and coolant openings.
Look up head stud removal order and keep bolts organized. Also look up wet torque using a small amount of oil for installation. GL!
Re: Blue Top Head Removal
You have to use 12 point sockets on the 4age head bolts.
I definitely had to remove the cams to get the bolts. The distributor gear of the exhaust cam gets in the way, if nothing else. Keep everything in order and separated. The cam caps have arrows and numbers if you mix them up.
SAVE THE WASHERS UNDER THE HEAD BOLTS and remember to use them when you install your new head bolts. I didn't even notice that there were washers underneath mine (too much gunk). Took the head to the machine shop, they must have fallen out there. Installed new head bolts with no washers. 100 miles into breaking in the rebuild and my head gasket failed.
I definitely had to remove the cams to get the bolts. The distributor gear of the exhaust cam gets in the way, if nothing else. Keep everything in order and separated. The cam caps have arrows and numbers if you mix them up.
SAVE THE WASHERS UNDER THE HEAD BOLTS and remember to use them when you install your new head bolts. I didn't even notice that there were washers underneath mine (too much gunk). Took the head to the machine shop, they must have fallen out there. Installed new head bolts with no washers. 100 miles into breaking in the rebuild and my head gasket failed.