Am I crazy or what!?!?

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Jul 18, 2013 | 03:33 PM

Splash67

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Cargo Master

Joined: Apr 2010

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From: Shelbyville, Indiana

Am I crazy or what!?!?

So I like to think of myself as a bit of a "Shadetree" mechanic, but I'm stumped here. Here's the situation:

I'm selling one of my gaser trucks to free up the funds for ARP studs, oil cooler, all the gaskets required for the changes, coolant filter, and exhaust.

That's the good news...bad news is my Excursion doesn't fit in the garage, I have a stone driveway, and this is more than a "quick weekend" project.

I can't move the truck once I start and I can't roll an engine hoist around the stones in the drive when it comes time to pull the heads to replace gaskets and put the ARP studs in...

Now here's my question after all the fluff above...can someone share their experience of doing the ARP head studs without lifting the body or using a hoist? Has anyone here tried this project with nothing more than good old muscle and sweat?

Jul 18, 2013 | 03:42 PM

Rusty Axlerod

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Joined: Feb 2011

Posts: 8,241

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From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)

If possible, I would put the Ex right up to the garage door as close as possible. That way you can still work out of the garage and the hoist with just a head on it should roll back into the garage without too much trouble. Maybe even snag one of those folding 10x10 foot canopies from walmarks for some shade over the front of truck. Maybe the neighbors won't fuss about it.

Jul 18, 2013 | 05:18 PM

Curt's05

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A few of us have replaced the bolts with studs one at a time. Why replace good head gaskets? Im at 25,000 miles, tuned and running great!

Jul 18, 2013 | 05:43 PM

Splash67

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 3,236

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From: Shelbyville, Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by Curt's05

A few of us have replaced the bolts with studs one at a time. Why replace good head gaskets? Im at 25,000 miles, tuned and running great!

I've thought about that, but 180k on the engine...I was planning to peek in on a few other things at the same time. I hope I don't find anything that scares me...LOL

What do you think about the 180K part? Do you have any experience with 180K 6.0l engine?

Jul 18, 2013 | 06:51 PM

BLADE35

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Joined: Apr 2010

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From: Saratoga Springs,UT

throw a sheet or 2 of 3/4 plywood down roll the hoist on that

Jul 18, 2013 | 08:10 PM

cheezit

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Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 12,123

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From: N. Fort Worth, tx

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLADE35

throw a sheet or 2 of 3/4 plywood down roll the hoist on that

and there is the awnser.
you can also use some a36

Jul 18, 2013 | 10:07 PM

mhoefer

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Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 4,424

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From: BC Canada

If you are not into leaving tha garage open and locking things up, and the ex will fit in length wise, there is one way to get it inside and be able to close the door.

You bring the ex as close in as possible, lay down wood 2*6 in front, take all four wheels and tires off, and re install lug nuts ( backewards so flat side holds discs on hubs) and roll that puppy in there on the boards. It won't hurt the disks, they are strong. You can jack her up and put on blocks, so they are not sitting on disks while you do the work. Reverse when done.

Have done this on very large equipment in winter cause its just way easier than working in the cold. The plywood will work to, just you have to leave the garage open at night and all your internals are open to the occasional kooky neighbor.