Share your trick(s)

[Jerryl]

If you "actually" have changed a HG PS, what do you recommend?
Looking for some REAL LIFE experience, not just "rumor has it" or read it on the board somewhere. If you have not tried a PS HG change on a HA, your uncounted feedback :tongue: is appreciated.

Options:
1. Pull motor and change HG
2. It can be done in the car (list the tricks for torquing the back bolts)

 

[1QUICK85]

I did it twice with the motor in the car. I don't remember it being all that difficult actually, especially the second time. I had AC in the car and the downpipe was still installed, bungy corded off to the side. I do remember the torque wrench just cleared the top of the head. Not sure what combination of socket or extension I was using. I wish I could remember for sure what, if any problems I had. But anyways, I am no expert and I did them twice by myself. Both times everything turned out great. -Nick.

 

[Jerryl]

I did it twice with the motor in the car. I don't remember it being all that difficult actually, especially the second time. I had AC in the car and the downpipe was still installed, bungy corded off to the side. I do remember the torque wrench just cleared the top of the head. Not sure what combination of socket or extension I was using. I wish I could remember for sure what, if any problems I had. But anyways, I am no expert and I did them twice by myself. Both times everything turned out great. -Nick.

Awesome!
I will get any socket I need to make sure it works.
(Or maybe I'll just pull the motor to get the converter re-stalled)

 

[6SENSE]

Yes, can be done in car.

 

[Bryan C.]

I have done it in the car. You must get creative with socket combinations though.

 

[cool 84]

I've done it 7 times with the motor in the car. Remove the heatshield for the heater/ac box to make it easier. Find which socket/wrench combo works. You can remove the motor mount to make it easier if you have to, or you can remove the trans mount and jack or lower the trans to make it easier.

 

[Waco84GN]

For the back top bolt I used....

A half inch torque wrench with a deep well 6 point impact socket. I know, I know. It was in my dad's toolbox I have no idea where it came from, but most of his stuff is craftsman. It was very, very touch and go. I used ARP head bolts which I strongly recommend if going to be doing a HG. I had the upper portions of my dp and up off (kenne bell style) so that made it a little easier. I did both sides because I didnt know which side it was. Didnt want to spin the motor over due to real bad milkshake. It was also hydraulicing and I didnt like the sound of that either.

Good luck
Jerry Berger

 

[conn84gn]

Pull the motor:
Replace both Head Gaskets, If one is gone most likely the other is damaged.
That's what happend on mine, second one was close to going.
Check the heads mine needed work.
Easy to replace pan gasket, rear main, etc. an hour to put it back in the car and go from there.
Check lifters, if it's a tappet cam check them and put cam lub on them.
Basicly best time to go thought the motor
Go cheap and you will do it again
Been there done that.

 

[Jerryl]

Pull the motor:
Replace both Head Gaskets, If one is gone most likely the other is damaged.
That's what happend on mine, second one was close to going.
Check the heads mine needed work.
Easy to replace pan gasket, rear main, etc. an hour to put it back in the car and go from there.
Check lifters, if it's a tappet cam check them and put cam lub on them.
Basicly best time to go thought the motor
Go cheap and you will do it again
Been there done that.

Good call.
I pulled the motor and cleaning is up. Replaced both HG's, verified lifters, thrust bearing, etc. Everything looks good.
Only one question. One hour to put the motor back in? You must know something I don't.

 

[Dwayne]

Pull it...........you'll be glad you did in the long run...........alot easier on your back too

 

[TType84]

onc e in the car, once outside of the car, was not difficult as everyone told me it would be

had more trouble getting the effing valvecover back on than getting to those bolts.

 

[Turbo Loyd]

had more trouble getting the effing valvecover back on than getting to those bolts.

Use the torque strap on the drivers side to pull the engine away from the heater box and things are a lot easier.

A trick learned from an old friend that works like a charm. . . now with the HRpartsNstuff drivers side motor mount, I no longer have the torque strap . . .

 

[TType84]

mine actually fell off. it was a POS hand me down that did nothing but loosen my freaking PS pump ever 2 weeks, haha