Changin' Heads
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
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From: BC, Canada
It's possible but Ford says to remove the engine as it's too easy to slide the head on the dowels and chew up the gasket surface and too hard to get everything clean enough.
I lift the body off the frame to do heads but not everyone has access to a 2-post hoist to do that like at http://flatratetech.com/images/nav_how_to.htm
If you snoop around in here you'll find more tips on replacing heads.
I lift the body off the frame to do heads but not everyone has access to a 2-post hoist to do that like at http://flatratetech.com/images/nav_how_to.htm
If you snoop around in here you'll find more tips on replacing heads.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
I did one a couple weeks ago and it took about 2 hours to lift the body. I've heard of guys doing it in about an hour and a half but I guess they must work faster than me 
One of the other guys in our shop did one last week and it took him 4 hours. This was the second one he'd done. I've done a few.
One of the other guys in our shop did one last week and it took him 4 hours. This was the second one he'd done. I've done a few.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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Before Thanksgiving weekend, I put new heads on my truck with the engine in. It wasn't always easy, but it was doable. I had a lot of bruises on my chest and stomach for laying across the grill and radiator.
If you have the equipment to lift the body or pull the engine, that would certainly make things easier.
If you have to do it with the engine in, try to get as much out of the way - the wheel well liners, wiring bulkhead, radiator shroud, etc.
I was able to remove all the head bolts and the heads without anything getting in the way. The mustang/crown vic guys usually cannot remove at least a couple of the headbolts b/c there isn't enough clearance.
This was one of the better pictures that I had showing the room under the hood once everything was out of the way.
If you have the equipment to lift the body or pull the engine, that would certainly make things easier.
If you have to do it with the engine in, try to get as much out of the way - the wheel well liners, wiring bulkhead, radiator shroud, etc.
I was able to remove all the head bolts and the heads without anything getting in the way. The mustang/crown vic guys usually cannot remove at least a couple of the headbolts b/c there isn't enough clearance.
This was one of the better pictures that I had showing the room under the hood once everything was out of the way.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: St. Libory
OK thanks. Just out of curiousity how much do the heads weigh? How about the whole motor? (4.6) Also, how long does it take to complete the job?
Jake
Good thing they got an EDIT button on here!!!!!
Jake
Good thing they got an EDIT button on here!!!!!
Last edited by jseim44; Dec 16, 2004 at 04:35 PM.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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I don't have any idea about the motor, but the heads are in the ballpark of about 50lbs each.
I removed the exhaust manifolds to make the heads as light as possible as also to make it easier to maneuver the heads on to the block since I was doing the installation myself.
It took me 8 hours to get the old heads off the block. I spent almost 3 hours cleaning the deck of the block. It then took me another 11 hours to put it back together. If I left the exhaust manifolds on, I could have saved about 1.5 hours.
I did the swap over 3 days, so it never felt that bad. Timing the cams wasn't that bad either. I read several articles and write-ups about setting the timing and it went very smoothly. I went overboard and turned the engine over ~60 revolutions to get the marks on the cams and crankshaft to align up again to make sure I didn't jump a tooth or have any PTV contact.
Let me know if you have any other questions, everything is still fresh in my mind.
I removed the exhaust manifolds to make the heads as light as possible as also to make it easier to maneuver the heads on to the block since I was doing the installation myself.
It took me 8 hours to get the old heads off the block. I spent almost 3 hours cleaning the deck of the block. It then took me another 11 hours to put it back together. If I left the exhaust manifolds on, I could have saved about 1.5 hours.
I did the swap over 3 days, so it never felt that bad. Timing the cams wasn't that bad either. I read several articles and write-ups about setting the timing and it went very smoothly. I went overboard and turned the engine over ~60 revolutions to get the marks on the cams and crankshaft to align up again to make sure I didn't jump a tooth or have any PTV contact.
Let me know if you have any other questions, everything is still fresh in my mind.
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From: St. Libory
Thanks for all that information. At this point I'm not sure if we're still going to do this ourselves or what the deal is. The time has come though (we've been using stop leak for about 2 months) If we do this ourselves, I will keep y'all posted.
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
Thanks for the picture Ted
jseim I'm not sure what a shop would charge to do the heads but Ford's warranty time to replace both head gaskets is around 12 hours, so flat rate, off warranty is probably 15 hours or so.
jseim I'm not sure what a shop would charge to do the heads but Ford's warranty time to replace both head gaskets is around 12 hours, so flat rate, off warranty is probably 15 hours or so.