Re: head replacement
Post by hiker on Oct 12, 2006, 2:09pm

Yukon, Some quick thoughts. Before disassembly, set the engine to Top Dead Center on the compression stroke for a good reference point when reassembling the engine. After you take the valve cover off, look at the relationship of the cam timing gear mark (dimple?) and the cam lobe for #1 cylinder. You'll notice that there is only one lobe for each cylinder and #1 lobe is pointed straight down. You will leave the timing gear and chain together resting in the timing cover. Use tie wraps through the holes in the timing gear and wrap around the chain to keep it from jumping a tooth. It's been a while since doing this but I don't think the gear will slip down into the timing cover. Maybe others will confirm. Otherwise, support the gear or wedge something to keep the gear from dropping down. The head is heavy. . . get help. Don't just drag it off the side, because the pistons are slightly domed and may get damaged. Two of the head bolt holes in the head are a tighter "close tolerance" fit to aid in head alignment. One in front, and one in the back. All other bolt holes are a loose fit. pay attention to the front and rear head bolts, they may all be the same, if not keep them in order.
good luck, Robert-CA