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Does the engine need to be pulled for head swap?

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Old 01-24-2010, 10:11 AM
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Default Does the engine need to be pulled for head swap?

Getting ready to get some Afr 215's for my 01 TA.. Does the engine need to be pulled or just swap them out the old fashioned way???
Old 01-24-2010, 10:18 AM
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Nope, doesn't need to be pulled. Look at the write-up on LS1howto.com.
Old 01-24-2010, 12:17 PM
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It's not to bad... Just did a swap for a customer. I would recommend getting either ARP head bolts or Studs though... Cost more than stock, but you can re-use them and there is no torque to yeild!!!! Most important thing is to get the Head surface as clean as possible and get all the moisture out of the bolt holes!!!! Good luck!!
Old 01-24-2010, 01:11 PM
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Thanks guys.... I was expecting to hear horror stories.....
Old 01-24-2010, 03:11 PM
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no need to pull the motor to change heads if using bolts. If you use heads studs in an F-body you will probably have to drop the motor down some as there is not room to put the heads on over the studs with the cowl/windshield in the way. I've heard of people setting the heads in place then threading the studs in but can't comment on how well this works or if it's a PITA.
Old 01-24-2010, 06:30 PM
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I used ARP studs on my Z28 (4 years ago). The image below shows the 3 studs that I had to install after the heads were seated. No big deal. I'm doing my C5 heads this weekend. Of course with the C5, both heads dropped right on with all studs installed (bottom).


Old 01-25-2010, 12:20 AM
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what heads are you using
Old 01-25-2010, 12:23 AM
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nope not at all, we swapped my heads and cam 3 weeks ago and once you get things out of the way it goes smooth
Old 01-25-2010, 12:47 AM
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Originally Posted by King Nothing
nope not at all, we swapped my heads and cam 3 weeks ago and once you get things out of the way it goes smooth
agreed, the worst thing is getting everything out the way.
Old 01-25-2010, 12:57 AM
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yep! it's fun to put it back together though lol
Old 01-25-2010, 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by Camaro Chris
what heads are you using
If directed at me- AFR 205s on the C5.
Old 01-26-2010, 04:47 AM
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doing heads/cam in-car, it would be way easier to pull the motor because of work space but its not necessary, the passenger side will give you the most trouble because it is farther back, the last two bolts on the bottom row will be hard to get to but youll figure it out once you get in there
Old 01-26-2010, 07:13 AM
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You would think. You start taking all that stuff out in front of the motor though and you can sit right in front of the timing set no problem.




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