chris95lt1ta

When replacing rocker arms, valve springs, valve seals and the retainers, do the heads have to come off?

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

No, they can stay on for all of that. Taking them off makes the job MUCH easier though.

chris95lt1ta

Hell its a pain in the *** to get them off though.

chris95lt1ta

I had the heads off 2 months ago replacing the head gasket so I dont want to take them off if I dont have to.

nitrous2fast

iTrader: (2)

just pull everything out from the bottom and it makes doing anything much faster.

wrd1972

iTrader: (12)

In all fairness lets clarify this statement.

If there is a need to remove the heads, for whatever reason, then yes do the seals, springs, etc. with them sitting on the bench. Much easier to do that way.
If there is no need to pull the heads from the engine, then do the work with the heads on the engine becasue pulling the heads means a ton more work, time and expense. There is no need to pull the heads to perform the above work.

FWIW I and most others can easily do all this in about three hours without having to push.

chris95lt1ta

Lol ok well it took me and a buddy bout a week to do the head gaskets. But thats was while i was at work doing other cars. (I work at jiffy lube)

quik95lt1

iTrader: (7)

dont have to pull them off.....that can be done in the car in a day......pressurize the cylinders with air and swap em out...........

Lawhead

iTrader: (14)

I did it you don't even need to pressurize the cylinders just get them at TDC and you will be good

bowtienut

iTrader: (1)

/\ /\ That's my method /\ /\

wrd1972

iTrader: (12)

The valves cant drop and fall free into the cylinders, they are too long. As long as you are clode to TDC, your good to go and if for some reason it drop into the guide, get the magnetic retriever or slowly crank the motor over by HAND.

gregrob

iTrader: (8)

TDC method F T W

Get yourself a Tim's tool as well...

quik95lt1

iTrader: (7)

yea i put them at tdc just incase the air goes away but its nice cause it holds the valve all the way up in the seat.....dont have to compress the spring as far......

05HD

^This makes it a lot easier reinstalling the locks when you are working with stiff springs.

spudnick3119

Forget the Tim's tool and get the Crane tool, maybe my Tim's tool was a lemon but I was not impressed...