I have a few questions. I'm supposed to take the intake mani off next but i can barley get to the bolts on the botton of the flange much less get them off. should I take the plenum off and leave the runners on or leave the whole im mani on the head? When I take the driver side engine mount off I need to support the engine, right? Where's the best place it? I'm don't think the oil pan would be a good place. TIA!

 

Not sure about your particular model, but on my '88 16V model I just left the Intake attached to the head due to the same problem you mentioned. I was able to easily remove it myself, it's not very heavy.

 

i always just took off the intake mani before i took the head off, i don't think its possible to get the head out with the intake on it, its just too big. stick to it you can get it off, i promise.

 

If you're just taking the head off, then you shouldn't have to take the motor mount off.

I've always just pulled the head with the intake manifold still attatched, it's a hell of a lot easier.

Just take off the valve cover, disconnect all the vacuum hoses and vtec solonoid, and dist, and coolant lines etc. Then take the rocker caps off, then the cams out, then in a criss cross pattern starting from the outside moving in loosen the head bolts 1/3 at a time. This will prevent the head from warping.

after all of that is done, you should double check, cause you KNOW you left something attatched, then just take the head off with the intake mani still there. It's much easier that way.

 

Just leave the intake manifold on and get a friend to help you take it out, when you get it all unbolted. And there is no need to take any motor mounts out for removing the head. Always take your time and double check everything when taking it out and putting it back on.

 

I took it off myself, no help, at 3am in the morning.

You don't need a friend. Grow a pair and yank that puppy yourself.

 

Thats the way needed to take the head off. no need to remove the intake manifold... its sooooooo hard to get the the bolts behind it. just remove everything that is attached to the head. no need for mounts. ENGINE WIRING HARNESS, COOLENT HOSES, AND ANYTHING ELSE ON THE HEAD AND INTAKE MANIFOLD NEEDS TO COME OFF.

 

sweet im gonna go take my head off too!! *storms out the door with the tool bag*

 

I usually brace the motor under the oil pan with a towel, a piece of wood, and a jack. Leave the intake manifold on the head and take them out as a unit. The driver's side motor mount portion that connects to the chassis needs to be taken off to gain access to the 2 lower bolts on the bracket that mounts the head to the motor mount.

 

I think it would be better to brace the motor on the oil pan since the side motor mount is removed and this is where the blunt of the weight will be hanging. It would be easier to install the motor mount back on after you finished since you can raise or lower the motor with the jack. How can you effectively raise the driver's side of the engine with the jack underneath the tranny? Even the Helms says to place a cushion between the oil pan and jack.

 

One more thing.... DO NOT forget to drain the coolant first!

 

Thanks guys, I'll leave the IM mani on.

 

I took mine out myself too, but it would have been much easier with help