In the process of heads install.

[Tiago]

you HAVE to pry, just be carefull with the gasket surface [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Ironman24]

You don't have to pry much, a whack with a rubber hammer usually does the trick. That gasket isn't super sticky. Aluminum will bend easily if you pry too hard. When I removed my lower intake manifold I wrestled the heck out of it and could not get the darn thing off. I was stuck for hours cursing at it. Make sure you got the 2 hidden bolts that are inside the intake, they are in opposite corners.

There is a bracket that extends down the passengers side and connects to the alternator. For some reason my intake was hung on this bracket and after I removed it the intake came right off. It's only 2 bolts that hold it on and one looks like a star patern inside it but you can get a socket over it. Hopefully that will set your intake free. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[MustangEater8251]

yeah you will have to pry the intake, jsut do it carefully. Crowbar? I think a long screwdriver will suffice. like Tiago said keep as much to gethr as possible, I also like to put stuff sort of back to gether when it is off the car, maybe one or 2 looslely threaded bolts. You will ber amazed how much you forget in the end.

as for the fule lines, not sure how it is on 3.8L, I jsut kept my fuel lines attached to the fuel rail and injectors, and jsut moved it ot the side with the flexible hoses.

[Cale]

when referring to crowbar, I was thinking of a small one. I have an assortment of different sizes that have nice little rubber handles and would great for that sort of thing. sorry [img]smile.gif[/img]

[pgriffith]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Ironman24:
Make sure you got the 2 hidden bolts that are inside the intake, they are in opposite corners.

<hr></blockquote>

Thats what was holding me up were the two hidden bolts on opposite corners. After removing these the manifold came off easily by prying on the front of it. I didnt pry on the gasket part but I pryed a little on the front underneath.

I now have lower intake off, passenger side exhaust manifold is off. And Passenger side Rocker Arms and pushrods are off. I will pull the heads today sometime after work. Its taking me a long time to do this. I have to keep reading my Haynes manual make sure Im not screwing up. But Its coming along smoothly. No major problems as of yet.

I was thinking, While I got it all torn apart maybe painting the valve covers and intake manifold. What kind of paing should I use?

[southern94]

i would put some roller rockers on while i had it apart :D

[pgriffith]

Roller Rockers would be expensive. And a high ratio rocker wont work with the cam I have selected. I think I will probly just use the stock ones.

[v6maro]

As for paint, get it powder coadet, expensive, yes, take s a while, yes, but worth it. Any other kind of paint is going to burn due to the high heat.
-Steve

[Cale]

Uhh, why don't you take the heads off then take the rockers off?

[pgriffith]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Cale:
Uhh, why don't you take the heads off then take the rockers off?<hr></blockquote>

makes no difference. Either way is all the same. I may do that with the other side. But they were pretty easy to get too once everything was out of the way.

[Cale]

Just saying.. little easier to put the head on a bench and do it there instead of hurting the ole back anymore by leaning over to do it.

[pgriffith]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Cale:
Just saying.. little easier to put the head on a bench and do it there instead of hurting the ole back anymore by leaning over to do it.<hr></blockquote>


Good point. I am probly going to do that with the other side. I only did it with the passenger side head.

[pgriffith]

What should I clean the intake manifolds off with? There a little dirty?

[Magnus]

Engine Parts Cleaner.. comes in like a paint gallon at autozone or murrays or pep boys.

Or simple green... but parts cleaner works better at breaking down oil.

[pgriffith]

I decided to port and polish the upper and lower intakes. I bought me a dremel with several attachments. I starting P&P the lower intake, took me a while to get the hang of it but I have half of the lower intake done. I will have the intakes P&P done by tonight. Hopefully I can have the heads off tommarow.