Pulling the Heads

[92ColoradoTurbo]

I have the info on my other post but putting it here seemed like a good idea.
I'm gunna be pulling my heads cause i have a burnt exhaust valve. Any tips or tricks or things i should know of before I start taking the intake mani, a/c, power steering, alternator, valve covers, etc. off?

I've been told I should remove the cams and rockers before sending the heads to the shop so it's easier for the machinists to finish them.

Are there any special tools i need to do all this? other than a torque wrench when putting it all back together. I'm not planning on pulling the motor out either, I really don't wanna mess with that, I'm already nervous about taking this much off lol

Also, is a goal of getting everything back together (assuming the machine shop takes like 2weeks) by the end of next month plausible? I'd send em off either this Saturday or Monday. Then I'd have about 2 weeks to get everything back together; 1 week with school and work (about 16 hours of work time) and 1 week I don't have any work or school [spring break] and I'd have that Saturday-Sunday (3/23 - 3/30) to work on it. I'd also have 2-3 friends helping me plus my dad.

They quoted me at $400 for both heads being machined, surfaced, new seals all around, and valves. Good price?

Thanks in advance

[Legacy777]

For the most part, the work is pretty straight forward. I can't think of any specific things right now that you should watch out for. Since you're not pulling motor, be careful when pulling the heads to not scratch or gouge the mating surface on the block. When cleaning the old gasket off, use a plastic scraper. I've used sand paper and a scotch bright pad as well.....not sure if that was wisest, but it works. Brake cleaner works good to loosen up the old gasket material.

Removing the cams and rocker assembly is pretty easy, and doesn't require any special tools.

[92ColoradoTurbo]

ok cool! I plan on using a lot of brake cleaner to clean alot of stuff cause i want a clean engine bay anyways lol but thanks josh, boosting my confidence lol

[92ColoradoTurbo]

Air box out, battery out.


Alternator out


A/C out


Radiator out (yea, i pulled as many coolant hoses as i could and put a plastic tub under the car to drain it lol)


Ripped the a/c condensor/raditor thingy literally, the bolts just snapped and it came out!

[92ColoradoTurbo]

OK! so i got the following off...
Air Box
Alternator
A/C stuff
Battery
Power Steering Pump
Coolant Reservoir
Misc stuff

Any input or more encouragement would be great haha gunna try and get the heads off by tomaro evening!

Thanks

[Someperson]

I need to rip mine apart too lol 175k and at least the valve cover gaskets need doing, how is the weather over your way?

[92ColoradoTurbo]

We had 7in of snow last week and like 1.5in on Monday. But since then, about 40's-50's. It's not that bad, the only thing that frustrates me cause I'm sorta ocd/clean freak is that to get alot of the stuff off, you gotta let all the liquids drain off and it gets everywhere at least that's how I'm doing it lol

[92ColoradoTurbo]

I'm at 178k by the way and it's cause of a suspected burnt exhaust valve..

[94Turbro]

That looks pretty rusty for a Colorado car, i haven't even a sniff of rust on mine.