What is the quickest and safest way to remove the head.

any tips on removal process is appreciated.

any links on how to remove... i just like to have instructions on hand just in case... better safe then sorry.

also what service should i take care of while my head is off.


Thanks for the help.

 

Basically have ziptie bags and label them with the parts you take off and use proper tools and make sure you put everything back where it came from? there is no answer to this... you must remove everything in the way and safely pull the head.... I would take your hood off so its easier access and unbolt the downpipe and oil return lines and feedline etc from turbo then unbolt exhaust manifold from head and remove turbo assembled. do not take apart the turbine housing from the exhaust manifold, not needed.....

make sure to use a new gasket on everything you take off tho to be safe. if youre doing arp studs, go with L19 also.... they are $ but you dont wanna have to pull the head again anytime soon.... id also swap out the timing belt so you start fresh.

also remove the radiator before pulling turbo out, or you'll end up scratching valve cover

 

What are you taking it off for?

There's several how-to's here, but from memory:
-drain coolant, disconnect upper radiator hose
-unbolt oil feed line to turbo from head (banjo bolt). Don't lose the copper washers, but replace them.
-Loosen exhaust mani-to-turbo bolts
-disconnect throttle cable, UICP, and all wiring going to intake manifold, spark plug wires, spark plugs, etc.
-remove cam gear cover and valve cover
-remove black intake manifold bracket (underneath, 4x bolts I believe)
-unbolt black bracket connecting head/IM to alternator
-unbolt dip stick. Don't need to remove it, swing it out of the way
-if you're leaving the tbelt in place, unbolt the cam gears and string them up, keep tension on the bolt.
-unbolt head stud bolts per factory procedure, outside in, cross pattern
-grab a buddy. Each person has one hand on exhaust manifold, one on intake manifold. Rock it back and forth a bit, lift straight up, then out!

If you drop anything, find it before its gone forever. Stuff gets caught on top of the starter, xfer case, and tranny and sucks to get out. Get all new gaskets, get the head checked out if need be and bolt it back together. Don't re-use any headstuds (even arps, for good measure).

*edit*
Two things I forgot, the mivec banjo bolt under the IM for IX's, and the fuel rail. once the injector clips are off (electrical) just unbolt the rail and carefully pull the rail, injectors, and lines out all as one and swing them off to the side, out of the way. I usually put this and the throttle cable under one of the windshield wipers, inbetween the windshield and the hood, just to keep it up and clear.

 

I've always like to remove things as complete as possible. For example, once you pull your radiator, pull your mani/turbo/o2 everything as one. Same with the intake manifold, i like to pull the intake manifold with rail and all in tact.

 

^agreed. head comes off best with intake manifold, and exhaust manifold still attached. and still on the intake manifold is fuel rail and injectors.

pulling the head takes very little time. putting it back together is more time consuming.

 

you will be doing mine soon so get ready lol

 

Two things I forgot, the mivec banjo bolt under the IM for IX's, and the fuel rail. once the injector clips are off (electrical) just unbolt the rail and carefully pull the rail, injectors, and lines out all as one and swing them off to the side, out of the way. I usually put this and the throttle cable under one of the windshield wipers, inbetween the windshield and the hood, just to keep it up and clear.

Added to earlier post for good measure