Technical Pull head on SBC without removing intake manifold?

Sensitive ? LOL

 

I think some people are responding simply to the "can it be done" question, vs. should it be done, or can it be done "well".
Yes, if you removed the intake bolts on that side, and loosened the other side, and pried up on the intake enough to allow the head to rise off the dowel pins, then it will come off. Then slip a head gasket on, and try to slide the head in while propping the intake up, and not damage the head gasket. Then slide in one side of the intake gasket and hope like Hell it doesn't leak at the corner of the gasket where it meets the intake. Or hope the intake doesn't begin to weep and leak at the end seals. And hope the other head doesn't have an issue soon.
There's a big difference between "can you do it" and "should you do it".

 

Seen this done ages ago in wrecking yards, usually by guys who want the head they removed with no concearn about the engine they leave behind. Not worth the risk.

 

I have repaired manner things over the years that should probably have been replaced , the repairs have , in moist cases, provided years of trouble free service . Does that mean the repairs were done " wrong" ? I've always been of the opinion that what works well is right , am I wrong ? Just something to ponder ...
BTW , the original question was if he " could" , not if he" should" ..

 

Working, and working without leaks. Two different things. I've replaced cams, and timing covers without pulling the pans on SBC and BBC, but never had either not have some minor oil leakage afterwards. They still ran well, and got my back and forth without an issue. But eventually when I had time the pan got dropped and gaskets replaced.
It can be done, and work, but I wont attempt it. Prying the intake enough to allow the head to come up off the dowel pins means the end gaskets, or seals will be broken. How they seal afterwards is a crap shoot.

 

I’d still like to know if both heads are the same. If not, could explain the difference in compression readings side to side.

 

Sorry you haven't had better luck ......there are many people ( judging by what I read here) , who have trouble doing things the " right" way , go figure

 

I removed a head without removing the intake but took it off when I installed the head.

 

It can be done without much trouble on an FE/FT, as the gasket flange is dead 90 from the deck, and was routine practice on the trucks. We did one on a 66 Comet around 76, with shock towers and stock manifolds- took some patience. Put it back together Thurs evening, and towed a V-drive with it Fri night

 

Worked at 'Short Cut Garage' in Holland Michigan in the 60's. The mechanics there did pull the head off one side of a sbc and then started it up. As a teenager, that was a fascinating thing to see, the blur of those 4 pistons.

 

I haven't pulled the valve cover off of the other head yet, but I'll try to remember to check when I do. Both heads do have the triangle on a rectangle indicating they are Power Pack heads, so I'd assume they are the same.

 

Have y;all REALLY taken up TWO full pages even answering an amateur question like THIS!!!?
Heck I can't believe I wasted my time chastizing you guys!!
Next we can "discuss" the merits of life-time blinker fluid vs the cheap stuff.......
6sally6

 

I thought this thread was a joke. Frankly it is because there is no way anyone with any amount of pride in there work would do that.
Yes it can be done but why would you. If you want to take short cuts there's no need to ask for advice.
After looking at the builds here I don't think half ass work is respected much.

 

Ease up on the OP, read his opening post "I've never taken the head off of a V8."

 

Sorry about that, guess I assumed he new the right way and was attempting to save time.

 

3 pages in....^^^
And, the problem may have nothing to do with the heads.

 

Thanks, bro.

 

Maybe not, maybe I should have checked the fuel level first.

 

GUYS, to do this requires skill and knowledge of the engine you are working on. I first saw this done at the Summernationals 50 years ago. in the "teardown" barn, by men who probably built the motors. it seemed to be normal practice. most of these men would have the car driving away in a couple of hours. I have done this many times on GM engines..IT works if you try.

 

Yes it can be done. I did it on my '68 El Camino with a 327.

 

There's the recommended way which may or may not be the only way which may or may not be an accepted way which may or may not be an alternative way which may or may not be an approved way which may or may not be the right way . Ever notice how people get stuck in a rut , I thought hotrodders were supposed to be innovative , there seems to be alot of folks who Only " color inside the lines", its a shame , really

 

Only a butcher would do this... and make sure the head is painted a different color.... if you arent going do it right, take it to someone who will.

 

Is this a script for the next roadkill show on tv ??? That is the kinda repairs they do !

 

Couple of my peeves about Chevys, and certainly all engines have similar quirks, is the distributor going though the manifold and timing cover wedged behind the pan. In manufacturing design, surely cost, ease of machining and other factors take precedence over reparability (and thereby admitting faults perhaps). Barring all that, would a V8 design with the intake angle narrowed to facilitate head removal be feasible? AFAIK in the OHV engines I've experience with, the deck and intake surfaces are 90*.

 

And definitely NOT on your first engine job, eh?

 

I agree my machine shop charged me $250 to go through my heads and make them compatible with my cam. The new performance heads are expensive but I’m on a budget so everything is expensive.


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Dang Butch, that was just a few weeks ago! I hope you're doing OK and recovering well and ahead of schedule.

 

Hmmmm, this would require the intake ports on the side of the engine where the head is removed to be sealed, wouldn't it?

And that luck requires a lot of wrench work getting to those head bolts underneath the exhaust manifolds.

 

I'm curious as to how many of these detractors made a living as flat rate mechanics in the '60's ?