Engine Work

[daytonboi]

Ok over the course of the next few weeks, I'm going to be some major work on the car. First I'm going to be redoing the gaskets, UIM, LIM, Head, And Water pump. I haven't fully decided whether or not to do the 3400 top swap. I might just swap the UIM and LIM for right now. I guess it depends on what money looks like after i get the required stuff.

Questions though, I've checked my manuals and they don't say anything about it, but do i have to remove the spark plugs before removing the heads and can I just install new ones before reinstalling the heads? And would you recommend draining all the oil and draining and flushing the coolant before or after I do the job?

 

After I fiinsh this job, I'll be moving to the interior and such.

http://www.w-body.com/forum/index.php?topic=78308.0

[intern8tion9l]

if you don't drain the coolant before you pull the heads it's all going right into your oil

[Crazy K]

I'd pull the spark plugs.

[daytonboi]

Another question my grandfather said that if I pull the heads off my car that i have to have them milled is there any truth to this or was this only true for older engines.

[19Cutlass94]

you dont have to. just make sure there clean when you put them back on.

[Crazy K]

Another question my grandfather said that if I pull the heads off my car that i have to have them milled is there any truth to this or was this only true for older engines.

yes and no. if they are out of spec, or have corrosion around the coolant passages, yes. but if they are within spec, no.

 

you spec em with a straightedge and a feeler gauge, and see if they are warped or pretty close to true.... i don;t have the spec on hand for the maximum tolerance.

[19Cutlass94]

there not leaking or warped on the car now they are fine.

[Crazy K]

there not leaking or warped on the car now they are fine.

How can you tell if your heads came from a jy car/ untestable engine?????

[19Cutlass94]

there not leaking or warped on the car now they are fine.

How can you tell if your heads came from a jy car/ untestable engine?????

 

if hes driving the car now with no problems then put them on. if they came from a jy engine have them pressure testes and cleaned.

[RobertISaar]

it would save time and allow you to index your plugs if you did them while the heads were off... and probably not cut your hands as much

[daytonboi]

Ok another question....what all should i have to remove in order for me to remove the front valve cover? I've looked in the manual and its not all that clear and i don't want to bend it up trying to get it out and i have to remove something else?

[89SupremeCutty]

my alldata says to remove the front spark plug wires, remove the transmission vacuum modulator pipe, remove the pcv valve from the valve cover and then take the bolts out from the valve cover.