How long does a head swap take?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Granite City, IL
How long does a head swap take? I've installed cam/valve springs on a car in about 8 hours. I've done about 6 of these installls....But, I've never done a head swap. How long does it take?
i found the hardest part was taking out the head bolts & cleaning all the holes...by yourself this part can take 2-4 hrs by itself let me tell ya I was tired lol My air tools couldnt handle taking the bolts out so it was all done by hand. Other than that its pretty easy and straitfoward...could be a bitch if the car has headers...some have issues with getting the headers to drop down far enough especially if they are welded up at the collectors to the rest of the exhaust...even if they are not U style clamps tend to crimp the tubing and make it very difficult to separate them. Those are the pitfalls i came across though most i had no problems with just throwing out what ive heard & seen secondhand 
I have head studs on my car now and I've had some practice ... so I can ususally do it in 2 or 3 hours with one helper. For a first timer and having to clean the bolt holes.. I'd say 6 to 8.. maybe longer.
... so I can ususally do it in 2 or 3 hours with one helper. For a first timer and having to clean the bolt holes.. I'd say 6 to 8.. maybe longer. I have done it a total of 6 times on LS1s and I would say 4-6 hours. I am meticulous about scaping the block and cleaning the bolt holes. If your like me then it will probably never take loner than that.
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It took me and my bud 16 working hours to do heads and cam. We spanned it over 2 days. He had done cam swaps before, and neither of us had done heads before. I'd say you could do it in 12-14 if you really want to push it.
-Steve
-Steve
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Took one evening 3-4 hours to remove it and another 4-5 to install it the next day. It was the first time I've done a cylinder head. I'm sure I could do it a little faster but if I'm going to pull the heads, I'm not going to rush. Give yourself 2 days.
BTW, this is ONE head with no air tools and stock manifolds.
BTW, this is ONE head with no air tools and stock manifolds.
TECH Veteran
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,055
Likes: 1
From: Hartsdale, NY
I've done several head swaps but only one Gen 3.
I did the LS1 at home in a weekend with no air tools...
...the amount of time you will spend depends upon what your doing; one time consuming task is changing the oil pump and timing chain sprockets and cleaning out the bolt holes in the short block....also cleaning the deck takes a bunch of time. The header bolts and exhaust can be combersome too. pulling and re-installing the radiator is a pain.... and on and on and on and on...
...make sure the piston tops (scrap carbon off) and piston holes are spit clean (use paper towels and brake cleaner or silicone spray), the bolt holes are dry and clean - see JMX's web page for a very detailed instructions - very useful for even experienced wrenchers...
Suggestion: don't rush anything or you will be doing this twice.
...good luck and enjoy the knuckle busting wrench turning experience...
I did the LS1 at home in a weekend with no air tools...
...the amount of time you will spend depends upon what your doing; one time consuming task is changing the oil pump and timing chain sprockets and cleaning out the bolt holes in the short block....also cleaning the deck takes a bunch of time. The header bolts and exhaust can be combersome too. pulling and re-installing the radiator is a pain.... and on and on and on and on...
...make sure the piston tops (scrap carbon off) and piston holes are spit clean (use paper towels and brake cleaner or silicone spray), the bolt holes are dry and clean - see JMX's web page for a very detailed instructions - very useful for even experienced wrenchers...
Suggestion: don't rush anything or you will be doing this twice.
...good luck and enjoy the knuckle busting wrench turning experience...
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Granite City, IL
Thanks for all the reply's! I'm leaving the cam I have in there for a while. I remember the dip stick tube for the trans. is bolted to the head on the pass. side....will I be able to get that from the top after the intake is removed? I can't wait to get the car done.
TECH Resident
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 857
Likes: 0
From: Orlando
Yes, you can get the dipstick but it's easier after the coil packs and wires are out of the way. FWIW, it took a buddy and I 6.5-7 hours and that was the second one we did. We stopped for lunch for 45 minutes and took our time using air tools for about half the job. It was much easier than the cam swap alone...trust me.
