i have finally came up with the money to buy head studs and have the head o-ringed and all the other stuff that goes along with this project. anyways i was wondering how hard it is to remove the head. i have removed heads on tractors, dozers and things like that but never on a pickup. also any suggestions, tricks and tips on what i should do would be greatly appreciated. thanks

 

Easy just a pain trying to weasel it under the cowl without damaging the headgasket. I don't care what any body says do not retorque the headstuds hot, or even warm. Let them cool ALL the way back down.

 

thats what i figured. thanks for the tip!

 

its very simple, even easier with the help of a cherry picker if your the only one working on it. why do you say not to re torque the studs warm 12valvetater?

 

Bcause the head studs will strech when hot or warm.

 

Ya its better to let the truck get some heat cycles in before you do.

 

The stud is not designed to be stressed while hot. I think the reason that people are having issues with the studs breaking is because for one they over torque them and the retorque them while the stud is hot. They say that whe the engine is warm it allows greater crush of he headgasket. I say follow the manufactures guidelines on proper installation. But then what do I know.

 

Ok thanks for explaining that to me. I think i done mine right, before final torque i let the truck idle up to operating temp an then cool completly back down.

 

to get the pushrods out on # 5 and 6, there are holes cut in the cowel covered by a rubber insert

 

what are you torqueing thhem too?? 125 lb ft 140 lb ft?