Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Going to swap out heads, questions

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 22, 2005 | 02:17 PM
  #1  
Dixit's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Canton GA
Default Going to swap out heads, questions

I read indepth the Headswap for the LS1 on LS1howto and definetely going to do this weekend or next, as I just received my new AFR 205cc heads.

I was doing alot of searching on the forums and noticed one person mention about how he removed the heads without having the coolant flow all over the place, he mentioned something about using a shop vac to suck it out before hand. How can this be done?

I know the most tedious part is cleaning the bolt to make sure no bolt gets hydrolocked. Just wondering if I can get around that if the above works in removing the head without collant spilling out. Only reason I hate that is that then I got coolant all over the block, cradle, and then garage floor and just a pain to clean up the block with all the coolant. I know I can let it burn off, but Im kind of a stickler there and just hate seeing it go all over the block for no reason.

Any help on this swap would be appreciated.

Dixit
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2005 | 02:20 PM
  #2  
777's Avatar
777
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,697
Likes: 2
From: Jacksonville, FL
Default

I don't think anyone has successfully accomplished the idea of not letting coolant get into the bolt holes.
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2005 | 02:36 PM
  #3  
goober35's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,387
Likes: 0
From: St Clairsville, Oh
Default

That would be me.

I realy dont care about water getting on the block i hate cleaning it out of bolt holes and the jugs.

When you pull the water pump you will see 4 holes 2 on each side. One on the head and one on the block on both sides. Take your shopvac or wet dry vac. Put it up to the holes on the block and heads and suck the water straight out of the block do this for about a min per side or untell you can tell that water has stopped coming out of the block and heads. Now unbolt the heads and pull them out there should be no water anywhere if done right. I would sugjest running a V cut bolt done each hole just to clean out the locktight crap they put on the bolts. This will also tell your if there is any water in the bolt holes.

Justin
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2005 | 03:03 PM
  #4  
Dixit's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Canton GA
Default

Good deal, I will give that a go then. Thanks

Dixit
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2006 | 11:30 AM
  #5  
bass685's Avatar
12 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Default

Has anyone else tried this?

Thanks
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 12:26 AM
  #6  
bass685's Avatar
12 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Default

bump ttt
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 06:32 AM
  #7  
vettenuts's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,092
Likes: 13
From: Little Rhody
Default

I plan to do the same thing with my Miti-vac and fluid transfer kit. That way, I can stick the hose down deep and empty out most of the heads and block before removing the heads. I am hoping to minimize the mess and the amount that spills into the holes and cylinders.

Haven't tried it yet though
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 07:03 AM
  #8  
Firehawk853's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo, NY
Default

Without tilting the engine, it's difficult to get the water below the level of the deck before removing the heads. However, using compressed air and a 'cleaning bolt' (ground flat on two sides) does a very good job at getting the bolt holes clean again. The cleaning process is tedious, and will probably take a couples hours to complete. But it's not something you want to rush.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 07:21 AM
  #9  
Black Z/28's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 0
From: Northern Va
Default

When I did my heads back in December I kept reading about this being a painful part of the head installation process. What I did was back out all the bolts on the heads about a 1/4 inch and then lifted the head(s) off the block and held it there while all the colant flowed out. When I removed the head(s) completely, there was still a little coolant in the holes. I inserted lengths of wooden dowel wrapped in paper towel, jammed all the way to the bottom of the holes and let it sit over night. The next morning I pulled the dowel/paper towels out and they had absorbed all the remaining moisture. I did re-check each hole, though. I got this idea from a fellow board member.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 02:29 PM
  #10  
bass685's Avatar
12 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Default

Good tips guys, anyone that has done the shop vac method?
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 02:45 PM
  #11  
orangeapeel's Avatar
ЯєŧąяĐ Єl¡m¡иąŧøя ™
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,083
Likes: 4
From: Justin, TX
Default

Just run a shop paper towel down in the bolt holes as well as anything to get all substances out of there.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 02:47 PM
  #12  
orangeapeel's Avatar
ЯєŧąяĐ Єl¡m¡иąŧøя ™
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,083
Likes: 4
From: Justin, TX
Default

Wow, this thread is old....I didnt think that the search would allow it to go back 6 months!
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 02:58 PM
  #13  
bass685's Avatar
12 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Default

i had it in my favorites lol, search was castrated.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 02:59 PM
  #14  
orangeapeel's Avatar
ЯєŧąяĐ Єl¡m¡иąŧøя ™
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,083
Likes: 4
From: Justin, TX
Default

That is the second time that I have heard the "castrated" term today about the search function.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 03:36 PM
  #15  
goober35's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,387
Likes: 0
From: St Clairsville, Oh
Default

Bass i use it and it works perfectly. Yet i an the one that thought it up.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 03:57 PM
  #16  
bass685's Avatar
12 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Default

goober, I was just getting ready to send you a PM. It seems like such a good and simple idea, so I thought id see if anyone else tried ur method out.

Basically once the water pump is off just suck out of the holes....any other little tricks?

Sounds like cleaning the holes out is time consuming, but I really don't want antifreeze all over everywhere under the hood and garage floor. Plus antifreeze/glycol just makes things rust and squeak. I know there will be enough from taking the hoses and water pump off, but at least I can attempt to catch that mess.

Thanks
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 04:19 PM
  #17  
goober35's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,387
Likes: 0
From: St Clairsville, Oh
Default

If you will get a 8qt pan and put it right next to the frame on the passanger side right next to the water pump you will catch 80% of the water that comes out ofthe water pump and hoses.

I did not have any water in any of the bolt holes but i still ran the flat cut bolt down every bolt hole and a towel down them also.

Do not unbolt the heads untell you suck out the water. just an fyi
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 05:05 PM
  #18  
orangeapeel's Avatar
ЯєŧąяĐ Єl¡m¡иąŧøя ™
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,083
Likes: 4
From: Justin, TX
Default

But, if you have never pulled the heads get ready to have all that stock gasket **** down in the holes.
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 06:36 PM
  #19  
35thls1ss19's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
From: Hackettstown, NJ
Default

what is a flat cut bolt?
Reply
Old Jan 27, 2006 | 07:28 PM
  #20  
Firehawk853's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo, NY
Default

Originally Posted by 35thls1ss19
what is a flat cut bolt?
You take one of the old head bolts and grind flat two sides of the bolt. Take the bolt and screw it back into each of the bolt holes in the block. Do this about three times for each hole. As you do this you'll see that the bolt will pick up all the gunk that was in the threads. Its the same idea as a thread tap, just you won't be cutting material away, you'll be cleaning it out.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:12 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE