I will be removing the heads off today after work, see wat i find out? ?

 

On the back bolts you'll more than likely not be able to get the back bolt out with the head on because the bolt will hit the firewall. If you raise the head up a little ways and then raise the bolt up, it'll all come out at once.

 

Forgot about this. The biggest PITA bolt I had was the bottom bolt, on the driver's side. Just stay calm and don't start yanking around on it. I think I ended up cutting a bit of the firewall insulation out on right there to get a bit more clearance.

 

Easiest way to get that bolt is to slide under the truck and unbolt the trans from the crossmember and jack it up. It tilts the motor forward and the bolt comes right out without tearing anything up.

 

If I remember correctly, aren't you supposed to drain the coolant before pulling the heads? I read somewhere you can use a wet vac to suck ALL of the coolant out. It saved a big mess.

 

NOW you tell me.

You can do that, I think I read somewhere that the LS motors have 2 drain plugs on the block too never looked for them though. I didn't drain mine, but it would defiantly keep the headaches of coolant in bolt holes and in the cylinders away.

 

More trouble than its worth, the block plugs are way down on the side of the block. Its really not that big of a deal to clean out the block and IMO is a good deal to have a little water in there to help blow some of the gunk out. Just be careful and blow the bolt holes out good.

I yank the lifter cups out and stuff them full of lintless blue shop towels and go to town with nonchloronated brake cleaner and an air hose. I used to have one of those 3M roloc deals to clean the block and heads but it wore out so I went back to a razor blade, and an ice scraper.

 

you will get water in the engine, make sure your change the oil. What i do is before i install the valve covers is pour 1 quart on each head with the drain plug open... It helps to get the remaining water out...


I have never had a problem get the bolts in and out.... Maybe my truck is just weird...

 

Right now we are stuck at this point.... You are right that last driver side bolt on the bottom is a BITCH! we have that one and the third one on the passanger side to take out... So far everything was covered in wat looked like the "beer *****" lol everything was covered in a chocolate milk liquid....we called it a night after 5 hours working o taking out wat we could...will continue this afternoon...will try to post pics later

 

why are you pulling both heads for 1 blown gasket?