Tonight I'm pulling the head off my GSR to see the extent of the damage caused by an 8600 rpm shift. I'm starting with a compression test first, but judging by the sounds/symptoms my car is making, I'm probably looking at some bent valve(s).

Anyway

My friend is bringing a bunch of his tools by to do the work, b/c I don't have **** for tools here where I'm staying. I told him to get all metric sockets between 10-20mm, any deep sockets he can find, a socket extension, and a torque wrench.

Are these the basic tools we'll need to get the head off the car tonight? I have exactly 7 hours from now to get replies before he'll be in town... I appreciate any leads. Thanks fellas.

 

9" and 6" extensions for 3/8" drives. You'll need them to get the intake manifold bracket off.

I'm not quite sure what's the best way to remove the intake manifold, but you'll need a 1/4" drive ratchet and 12mm 1/4" drive shallow socket with short extension if you plan on going from up top. I'm not sure if going from down below will work, but you'll need a longer 1/4" drive extension to do that.

You'll also need a breaker bar and 14mm socket, maybe extension or just a deep, for the head bolts.

 

Is it MANDATORY to remove the intake manifold when taking the head off the car? Is it going to hit against the firewall, not allowing me to pull the head? My friend who's helping me is a DSM fanatic, and noted that it wasn't necessary to pull the IM off to get the head off. I know that my Teg isn't a DSM, but I'm hoping that I can leave the IM on there and keep everything intact. Thanks for the quick reply, BTW. You always have a good answer for everyone.

 

no, you don't have to take off the IM to remove the head as long as you have someone there to help you lift the cylinder head off.

 

I broke two 14mm sockets and 1 deep well removing mine. Those ******* are a bitch.

Also keep checking the sockets for hairline fractures that cause the socket not to grip. My friend spent 1 hour trying to loosen head bolts, but the socket had a crack in it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtecivicex &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is it MANDATORY to remove the intake manifold when taking the head off the car?</TD></TR></TABLE>

No, and if you aren't going to be changing it, I'd definitely leave it in place. However, the brackets that were mentioned do need to be unbolted in order to remove the head, whether the IM is staying or not.

As for other things you'll need, it would be extremely helpful to have a repair manual of some sort that lists the proper removal sequences for the bolts, some pliers to remove the the various spring clamps, screwdrivers (never know when you might need them ), some metric wrenches, and you should be all set.

 

Yeah, PatDemps from this board was cool enough to let me borrow his Helms Manual to get this **** done - thanks again btw if you read this Pat... but anyway, I'd rather just keep the head intact as much as possible... it's bad enough having to take the cams out and ****, I've never done a project like this, and my friend said it's not necessary on his car to remove the cams. Should I label all of the rockers and cam caps upon removal, to insure they go back in the same place? Also, where on the IM is this bracket located, and how hard is it to access this? I don't have the manual in front of me as we speak... Thanks again guys.

 

well on your car its nescesary to take the cams out as you will see. the intake manifold bracket is located directly underneath the manifold. lay down on the ground and look up at the IM and you will see an elbow shaped bracket with two 12mm bolts i think (maybe 10mm, actually i don't remember) going up into the manifold and two going into something else. if you have an extension it wont be too hard to get to

when i took my head off my gsr i completely forgot about that bracket and was trying to pull the head thinking wtf is going on here

 

Im about to pull the head off my GSR tomorrow. And this thread helped me out.

How long does it normally take...estimation?

 

About 2 minutes with one hand. Oh wait, that's how long it takes for me to perform self-inflicted masturbation.

I'd say an hour. Probably longer if it's your first time.

Don't take the manifold off. Lift it off with the head. I've done it both ways and found it's easier taking them off as one unit.

Ben