Remove pass side engine head
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Arlington US
Remove pass side engine head
All,
I broke off one of the exhaust manifold bolts on the pass side, argghhhh. I am preparing myself to pull off the damned head and drill the bolt out. I have never replaced ANY automotive engine head before, but I am pretty sure I can figure it out. I have a Haynes book right here. It seems simple in theory. Take the intake and carb off as one assembly. Pull the rocker arm covers, pull the rocker shaft assembly, pull the rocker arms, and then pull the heads. The rocker shaft assembly is the main thing that may give me some trouble. Does anyone have any advice or know a good book I can purchase on rebuilding 360/390 engines? I don't plan on rebuilding it just yet, but I know a book like that should have more pictures, etc for our engines. Thanks,
Paul B
I broke off one of the exhaust manifold bolts on the pass side, argghhhh. I am preparing myself to pull off the damned head and drill the bolt out. I have never replaced ANY automotive engine head before, but I am pretty sure I can figure it out. I have a Haynes book right here. It seems simple in theory. Take the intake and carb off as one assembly. Pull the rocker arm covers, pull the rocker shaft assembly, pull the rocker arms, and then pull the heads. The rocker shaft assembly is the main thing that may give me some trouble. Does anyone have any advice or know a good book I can purchase on rebuilding 360/390 engines? I don't plan on rebuilding it just yet, but I know a book like that should have more pictures, etc for our engines. Thanks,
Paul B
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Remove pass side engine head
Make sure you keep all the parts in their special order.
You can drill holes in a yardstick or other opiece of wood to hold the pushrods IN ORDER >front to back.
Keep the rocker arms in Order too > Label them to the match the pushrods<
The head is very heavy > Make sure you have physically *stretched first* and be careful lifting it off. Don't Hurt Yourself with twisting and lifting wrongly.
Have a site prepared to lay it on before removing it.
If YOU are doing it >When drilling out the bolt have the correct type of Drill Bit for this use be careful to center it before drilling.
[font color=red]Dennis
FTE Adminstration
[/font]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/canada_flag_animated.gif
[link:www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html|My Website,"North Of The 49th"]
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html|Club FTE]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG
[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
[/font]
You can drill holes in a yardstick or other opiece of wood to hold the pushrods IN ORDER >front to back.
Keep the rocker arms in Order too > Label them to the match the pushrods<
The head is very heavy > Make sure you have physically *stretched first* and be careful lifting it off. Don't Hurt Yourself with twisting and lifting wrongly.
Have a site prepared to lay it on before removing it.
If YOU are doing it >When drilling out the bolt have the correct type of Drill Bit for this use be careful to center it before drilling.
[font color=red]Dennis
FTE Adminstration
[/font]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/canada_flag_animated.gif
[link:www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html|My Website,"North Of The 49th"]
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html|Club FTE]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG
[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
[/font]
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,281
Likes: 18
From: Northern California
Remove pass side engine head
Ditto on the bolts and push rods, they MUST go back the exact way they came out. The rocker arm shaft has 3 different types of bolts, long necked down, short necked down and standard for the ends. The long necked down must go back into the oil feed hole. Remove the bolts 1 turn each to release the tension evenly.
As for books, I think "how to rebuild big block fords" is the best. I think this site here sells them. Check some of the links on the main page or search the 'shop now' in the upper right corner.
As for books, I think "how to rebuild big block fords" is the best. I think this site here sells them. Check some of the links on the main page or search the 'shop now' in the upper right corner.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 845
Likes: 2
From: Bakersfield Ca.
Remove pass side engine head
>The head is very heavy > Make sure you have physically
>*stretched first* and be careful lifting it off. Don't
>Hurt Yourself with twisting and lifting wrongly.
>
>Have a site prepared to lay it on before removing it.
I'll give that a big second. The intake is no bag of feathers either. What I did with my 390 is take the hood off. Then that allows you to climb on, centered over the top of the engine to get a good lift with your legs and not your back. Your not reaching. You can sit right on the fender to pull the head. This will also help you with installing the manifold as it can be difficult to get it set just right. There have been some on this board that have said using the cork end gaskets are not necessary if you use silicone, and have done so with success. Me, I used the cork and climbing on top of the engine helped me to set the manifold right without messing up the gaskets. And it can be very easy to get them messed just a little to give you a vacuum leak. Removing the hood may be an extra step but worth it in the long run in my opinion. But it's your call. Good luck.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Arlington US
Remove pass side engine head
All,
Thanks for the tips, especially about the hood. I still don't know if I'll pull mines off, but that is the type of hint that will save me a lto of time :-) As far as the pushrods, I got some old shoe boxes that I plan on punching holes in and sticking the pushrods through. I was thinking that I could place the rocker arm, the nuts, etc for it in a bag and tie it to the pushrod and stick the pushrod into the top of my shoebox. Does that sound feasible to any of you guys? I ordered the How to rebuild big block Fords book from Amazon last night right after I made the first post. Are there any special tools I might need?
Paul B
Thanks for the tips, especially about the hood. I still don't know if I'll pull mines off, but that is the type of hint that will save me a lto of time :-) As far as the pushrods, I got some old shoe boxes that I plan on punching holes in and sticking the pushrods through. I was thinking that I could place the rocker arm, the nuts, etc for it in a bag and tie it to the pushrod and stick the pushrod into the top of my shoebox. Does that sound feasible to any of you guys? I ordered the How to rebuild big block Fords book from Amazon last night right after I made the first post. Are there any special tools I might need?
Paul B
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Arlington US
Remove pass side engine head
Oh yeah,
I just had to drill out a bolt on my 1997 Mitsubishi galant, I still have the Nut extractor set from Auto Zone. It only costed like $14.99 I think, worked pretty good on the Galant. It comes with extractors and bits. I wouldnt mind finding a left threaded drill bit somewhere though...
Paul B
I just had to drill out a bolt on my 1997 Mitsubishi galant, I still have the Nut extractor set from Auto Zone. It only costed like $14.99 I think, worked pretty good on the Galant. It comes with extractors and bits. I wouldnt mind finding a left threaded drill bit somewhere though...
Paul B
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
Remove pass side engine head
Another tip for removing the head. Don't stick large handles in the intake ports to pry it off. Also you don't have to beat on it. There are two grooves on the bottom of the intake side of the head. They are there for a reason. Stick a big screwdriver between the heaad and the gasket there and give it a whack. Be sure to have a catch man cause they fall fast.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Arlington US
Remove pass side engine head
>Another tip for removing the head. Don't stick large
>handles in the intake ports to pry it off. Also you don't
>have to beat on it. There are two grooves on the bottom of
>the intake side of the head. They are there for a reason.
>Stick a big screwdriver between the heaad and the gasket
>there and give it a whack. Be sure to have a catch man
>cause they fall fast.
Ratsmoker,
Do I have to worry about gouging the head if I pry it up on those grooves??? I would think not, but I just wanna be sure. I don't want to ruin my head the first time I ever try to pull one off lol
Paul B
>handles in the intake ports to pry it off. Also you don't
>have to beat on it. There are two grooves on the bottom of
>the intake side of the head. They are there for a reason.
>Stick a big screwdriver between the heaad and the gasket
>there and give it a whack. Be sure to have a catch man
>cause they fall fast.
Ratsmoker,
Do I have to worry about gouging the head if I pry it up on those grooves??? I would think not, but I just wanna be sure. I don't want to ruin my head the first time I ever try to pull one off lol
Paul B
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Arlington US
Remove pass side engine head
All,
I just remembered, the owner said this truck was a 390 .090 over lol. While I got the head off, is there any sure fire way to see if it has been bored over at all and if so how much? Is there anything else that I can check while I have the head off? Thanks guys.
Paul B
I just remembered, the owner said this truck was a 390 .090 over lol. While I got the head off, is there any sure fire way to see if it has been bored over at all and if so how much? Is there anything else that I can check while I have the head off? Thanks guys.
Paul B
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
Remove pass side engine head
If you are really paul bunyan then you might gouge the heads but a normal man with a normal screwdriver would probably have to try pretty hard. Once the head is off remove any carbon from the center of the piston and look for a number. If it says 30 anywhere wether it is .030 or 30 then it is .030 over. If the piston is blank usually (not always the ppistons are original or stock size. A micrometer would then be needed to determine the bore for sure.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Arlington US
Remove pass side engine head
Ratsmoker,
LOL@Paul Bunyan, im big but not that strong :-) Anyways, yeah I will definately check the top of the piston out. What should I use to get the carbon off? I can't wait for that Big Block Ford book to get here so I can get started. I have all the tools (no hoist) but I think Im gonna venture out and try to take the hood off to make it easier. That's one thing I can figger out without the book lol
Paul B
LOL@Paul Bunyan, im big but not that strong :-) Anyways, yeah I will definately check the top of the piston out. What should I use to get the carbon off? I can't wait for that Big Block Ford book to get here so I can get started. I have all the tools (no hoist) but I think Im gonna venture out and try to take the hood off to make it easier. That's one thing I can figger out without the book lol
Paul B
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
Remove pass side engine head
I used a rotary wire bruch that goes into the end of a cordless drill. Make sure that the piston is at the top of the block when doing this and make darn sure you clean up the mess.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
Remove pass side engine head
As far as the hood goes you can take it off but I see no reason too. It really isn't that hard to do and messing with the hood may just take longer. Just have a friend handy.
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 0
Likes: 24
Remove pass side engine head
>Ratsmoker,
>LOL@Paul Bunyan, im big but not that strong :-) Anyways,
>yeah I will definately check the top of the piston out. What
>should I use to get the carbon off? I can't wait for that
>Big Block Ford book to get here so I can get started. I have
>all the tools (no hoist) but I think Im gonna venture out
>and try to take the hood off to make it easier. That's one
>thing I can figger out without the book lol
>
>Paul B
If it fits great right now,don't forget to scribe the hood at the hinges to allow for exact attachment when you put it back on.
[font color=red]Dennis
FTE Adminstration
[/font]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/canada_flag_animated.gif
[link:www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html|My Website,"North Of The 49th"]
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html|Club FTE]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG
[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
[/font]
>LOL@Paul Bunyan, im big but not that strong :-) Anyways,
>yeah I will definately check the top of the piston out. What
>should I use to get the carbon off? I can't wait for that
>Big Block Ford book to get here so I can get started. I have
>all the tools (no hoist) but I think Im gonna venture out
>and try to take the hood off to make it easier. That's one
>thing I can figger out without the book lol
>
>Paul B
If it fits great right now,don't forget to scribe the hood at the hinges to allow for exact attachment when you put it back on.
[font color=red]Dennis
FTE Adminstration
[/font]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/canada_flag_animated.gif
[link:www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html|My Website,"North Of The 49th"]
[link:www.ford-trucks.com/guidelines.html|Club FTE]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG
[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
[/font]
Elder User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
From: LAT 46.55501° & LON -122
Remove pass side engine head
Isn't it possible to remove the head without removing the intake? We had a friend change a head gasket on one of our truck's 390 this way. Sure surprised the heck out of me. He had the job done in less than 2 hours. Nothing to loose--worth a try! If it works, you will have an extra intake and valve cover gasket left over for the next time.