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Hey everyone i have a 92 f150 with 302, im working on gettin head off. Blew a head gasket and pretty sure heads done for as well. I have a new head to go on. Never done this before. Have upper/lower intake off, valve covers off, distributor out. Just to make sure I do this right, what do i need to do now? Theyre might be a thread on here already for this and i apologize if their is but i couldnt find it. Any help or redirection would be appreciated!
I'm not sure on your truck but of course you need to check to see if where the AIR system bolts to. On some engines is puts air into the exhaust manifold and on some it bolts to the back of the cylinder head. Either way it has to be disconnected. The exhaust system based system with come away when you unbolt the exhaust manifold but the head based system is a bit tricky. There is a bolt screwed into the back of the head that holds the crossover pipe to each head which the AIR pump sends air to.
I have headers no exhaust manifold if that makes a difference. I know I have to remove those. But what about rods/valve springs. Or do I just take bolts off and pull head?
The thermactor air injection reaction (AIR) system pumps air into the exhaust stream to help reduce unburned fuel. Most of the 80s-90's 302 engines have these cast into the heads, and the air is fed by pipes bolted to holes at the rear of the heads. You might want to remove the pipes before trying to remove the heads, as they will hold the heads down.
Make sure engine is TDC (compression) on timing mark, remove distributor, disconnect throttle cable and cruise cable if equipped, unhook tps and egr sensor wires, remove upper and lower intake and tubing, you will need to disconnect the EGR pipe, remove the Air Pump tubes from the back of the heads they have a tube that goes down to the catalytic converter if so equipped, remove exhaust manifold, remove pulley mounts from the front of heads, remove valve covers, loosen rocker arms and twist sideways and extract pushrods. Unbolt and remove heads. Of course you may want to make sure all coolant is drained from block before hand, other wise coolant is going to pour everywhere when you remove the head. Hope this helps.