Cylinder Head Removal - 3.2

[bdonally]

Is it possible to remove the three heads and the cam followers as a unit without removing the rocker arms and cam?
I need to get at the pistons and cylinders on one bank for a bit of detective work.

[Henry Schmidt]

Yes, you can remove a whole bank of cylinders in one lump.
Leave the chain housing in place as well.
Be careful that you don't twist the chain during this process.
Feed the chain into the case to facilitate ease of removal.

[bdonally]

Thanks
I guess a folow-on question is how tough will it be to remove the cam and dismantle the heads on a bench, if I eventually decide that is necessary?

[Henry Schmidt]

Disassembly on the bench is the correct way the do it.
At the factory, the heads, cam towers, cams and rockers are all assembled on the bench then placed on the engine as a lump (complete assembly).
That is how we do it, although you can piece it together if you choose.

[Mike Juzenas]

Originally posted by Henry Schmidt
Disassembly on the bench is the correct way the do it.
At the factory, the heads, cam towers, cams and rockers are all assembled on the bench then placed on the engine as a lump (complete assembly).
That is how we do it, although you can piece it together if you choose.

I think the biggest things that stopped me from doing it that way was:

1 - Having the expensive pistons connected to the ends of the rods lying in the case waiting to be dinged

2 - The all-around tightness of putting the three pistons in the barrels all in one sequential shot ; i.e. little room for the tools/hands that are required. etc. I can only image the amount of cussing that would generate in my shop! ;-)

Are there any tricks for number (2)? I really did not mind assemblying the heads/cylinders seperately and then gluing the cam carrier down...it gave me a nice and solid holder to torque down the cam carrier bolts (and then the final torque of the head bolts..).

Cheers,

Mike

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by Mike Juzenas
I think the biggest things that stopped me from doing it that way was:

1 - Having the expensive pistons connected to the ends of the rods lying in the case waiting to be dinged

2 - The all-around tightness of putting the three pistons in the barrels all in one sequential shot ; i.e. little room for the tools/hands that are required. etc. I can only image the amount of cussing that would generate in my shop! ;-)

Are there any tricks for number (2)? I really did not mind assemblying the heads/cylinders separately and then gluing the cam carrier down...it gave me a nice and solid holder to torque down the cam carrier bolts (and then the final torque of the head bolts..).

Cheers,

Mike

As Henry said, you can put the cam carriers+heads on as a unit. The cylinders are not part of that "lump". The cylinders & pistons are mounted separately beforehand.

The heads aren't bolted to the cylinders. The head studs go through the cylinders but aren't attached to the cylinders.
-Chris

[Mike Juzenas]

Originally posted by ChrisBennet
As Henry said, you can put the cam carriers+heads on as a unit. The cylinders are not part of that "lump". The cylinders & pistons are mounted separately beforehand.

The heads aren't bolted to the cylinders. The head studs go through the cylinders but aren't attached to the cylinders.
-Chris

Thanks Chris...

Ooopps major brainfart..must be Sunday...you are right and I, for some reason, was thinking something else...

What I mean is the assembly of the pistons into the cylinders on or off the engine...

I still like attaching the cam carrier on the heads while they are loosly bolted onto the engine...it just seems like a better base...

Cheers,

Mike

[ChrisBennet]

Originally posted by Mike Juzenas
Thanks Chris...

Ooopps major brainfart..must be Sunday...you are right and I, for some reason, was thinking something else...

What I mean is the assembly of the pistons into the cylinders on or off the engine...

I still like attaching the cam carrier on the heads while they are loosly bolted onto the engine...it just seems like a better base...

Cheers,

Mike

You can do the P&C assembly on the bench or on the motor. I find I have a little more control doing it on the bench. I did it on the motor for years though and that is the way the factory manuals say to do it.
If you are on a budget, doing it on the bench allows you to use a standard ring compressor which saves a few bucks.

Like yourself, I like assemble the heads and cam towers on the motor.
1. I put the heads on,
2. Slide the cam carrier on to line everything up,
3. Tight up head studs some so they don't move when I
4. Remove the cam carrier
5. Torque the heads up.
I do it this way so I can
6. Put a straight edge across the top of the heads to make sure everything is square before
7. Test fitting the cam carrier again
8. Apply sealant and bolt on the cam carrier.

-Chris

[Mike Juzenas]

Originally posted by ChrisBennet
You can do the P&C assembly on the bench or on the motor. I find I have a little more control doing it on the bench. I did it on the motor for years though and that is the way the factory manuals say to do it.
If you are on a budget, doing it on the bench allows you to use a standard ring compressor which saves a few bucks.

Like yourself, I like assemble the heads and cam towers on the motor.
1. I put the heads on,
2. Slide the cam carrier on to line everything up,
3. Tight up head studs some so they don't move when I
4. Remove the cam carrier
5. Torque the heads up.
I do it this way so I can
6. Put a straight edge across the top of the heads to make sure everything is square before
7. Test fitting the cam carrier again
8. Apply sealant and bolt on the cam carrier.

-Chris

Yup that is is what I do as well...definitely check the flatness across the heads as well as making sure the heads are all aligned with the guide holes in the carrier.

Cheers,

Mike