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Engine gasket replacement(help!!)

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Old Aug 13, 2009 | 01:09 AM
  #1  
firebird896's Avatar
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From: Chicagoland Area
Car: '89 GTA/'86 TA/98 TA
Engine: 350/350/LS1
Transmission: R4/T5/4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.23/2.77/3.73
Engine gasket replacement(help!!)

Hey guys I recently picked up an engine out of a 79 camaro its been sitting for about 10 years but before that it was rebuilt. Im replacing all the gaskets. Intake, oil pan, heads, timing cover, oil pump....

Im need some help removing the head though, I did a search how to remove it and already removed all the bolts (not in a certain sequence, hich I hope doesn' mess up the head). I thought it was suppose to pop right off?? Guess not, what else do I have to do?? All the bolts are out even under the rockers and I didn't have to loosen them. So what else should I try before I use the 1lb. rubber mallet?

Its on an engine stand, so no worries about replacing the pan or accessing anything.

Thanks in advanced guys, sorry it was soo long
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Old Aug 13, 2009 | 03:21 AM
  #2  
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From: N. Illinois
Car: 92 GTA/ 00 TA
Engine: 383/350
Transmission: 700R4/T-56
Re: Engine gasket replacement(help!!)

If you're absolutely positive that you removed all head bolts, (17 per head) you can put a pry bar into a coolant passage to give you leverage. All you have to do is break the seal.
Since the engine's on a stand I would loosely install 2 of the bolts so the head doesn't fall off once you break that seal.
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Old Aug 13, 2009 | 12:39 PM
  #3  
firebird896's Avatar
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From: Chicagoland Area
Car: '89 GTA/'86 TA/98 TA
Engine: 350/350/LS1
Transmission: R4/T5/4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.23/2.77/3.73
Re: Engine gasket replacement(help!!)

So I dont have to remove the lifters or rockers?? I havn't
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Old Aug 13, 2009 | 03:18 PM
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From: Pepperell, MA
Car: 1987 Trans Am
Engine: LQ9/L92
Transmission: 4L60E
Re: Engine gasket replacement(help!!)

lifters and rockers don't have to be moved, but make sure you got out all the bolts between the rockers; there are a few hiding in between. there was a lot of pressure holding them together for quite some time, so they may need just a little prying to get them off. be careful though; they are heavy if they hit your foot.
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Old Aug 13, 2009 | 04:31 PM
  #5  
firebird896's Avatar
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From: Chicagoland Area
Car: '89 GTA/'86 TA/98 TA
Engine: 350/350/LS1
Transmission: R4/T5/4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.23/2.77/3.73
Re: Engine gasket replacement(help!!)

I took the push rods out to be safe, when I took it off I notices 2 little notches that held the block from getting released. The other side will be a repeat of the Pass side

Next is the timing cover gasket, how do I take the balancer off?? just the 3 bolts then the cover bolt?
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Old Aug 13, 2009 | 04:50 PM
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From: N. Illinois
Car: 92 GTA/ 00 TA
Engine: 383/350
Transmission: 700R4/T-56
Re: Engine gasket replacement(help!!)

And a puller.
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Old Aug 13, 2009 | 10:05 PM
  #7  
firebird896's Avatar
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From: Chicagoland Area
Car: '89 GTA/'86 TA/98 TA
Engine: 350/350/LS1
Transmission: R4/T5/4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.23/2.77/3.73
Re: Engine gasket replacement(help!!)

Stupid time...Whats the puller for??
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Old Aug 13, 2009 | 11:47 PM
  #8  
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From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Engine gasket replacement(help!!)

The balancer gets 'pressed' on when the bolt is tightened, thus it won't come off without a puller to apply equal pulling pressure all around to 'pry' it off. You can 'rent' them at most Autozone/Advance stores.
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 12:43 AM
  #9  
firebird896's Avatar
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From: Chicagoland Area
Car: '89 GTA/'86 TA/98 TA
Engine: 350/350/LS1
Transmission: R4/T5/4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.23/2.77/3.73
Re: Engine gasket replacement(help!!)

Gotcha,
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 04:14 PM
  #10  
firebird896's Avatar
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From: Chicagoland Area
Car: '89 GTA/'86 TA/98 TA
Engine: 350/350/LS1
Transmission: R4/T5/4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.23/2.77/3.73
Re: Engine gasket replacement(help!!)

well i guess I just screwed up, tightning the bolt on the balancer i felt it striped....now what I was almost done for the day, wat shall I do??
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 05:35 PM
  #11  
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From: Cary, North Carolina
Car: 1992 RS
Engine: Carbed 350
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Engine gasket replacement(help!!)

so, you got the job done, but you think the bolt stipped on reinstall? Are you sure the bolt stripped, and it just wasn't the bolt pressure forcing the balancer back on? It's usually pretty hard to strip that bolt. Did you get the balancer on far enough to get at leat 1/4 in of the bolt threaded in before it touched up against the balancer? It's been a long time since I had to do it - but I think I remember having to take a 2x4 chunk and put it against the balancer and rap it with a hammer to get the balancer back onto the shaft far enough to get the bolt started good - so maybe you just stripped the first few threads and rapping the balancer on there a bit farther will get your bolt in there far enough to get a good grip.
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Old Aug 14, 2009 | 11:10 PM
  #12  
firebird896's Avatar
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From: Chicagoland Area
Car: '89 GTA/'86 TA/98 TA
Engine: 350/350/LS1
Transmission: R4/T5/4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.23/2.77/3.73
Re: Engine gasket replacement(help!!)

i used the rubber mallet before i put any of the bolts on, I'll try wacking it some more (insert funny here) then retry tighning the bolts
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 07:30 AM
  #13  
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From: N. Illinois
Car: 92 GTA/ 00 TA
Engine: 383/350
Transmission: 700R4/T-56
Re: Engine gasket replacement(help!!)

Use a harmonic balancer installer.
NEVER us the center bolt to reinstall a balancer.
Hopefully you didn't mess up your threads.
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 09:51 AM
  #14  
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From: Pigeon Forge ,TN
Car: Firebird
Engine: 2.8 v/6
Transmission: t/5
Axle/Gears: open/3.42
Re: Engine gasket replacement(help!!)

Originally Posted by Viprklr
Use a harmonic balancer installer.
NEVER us the center bolt to reinstall a balancer.
Hopefully you didn't mess up your threads.
I agree but if an installer is not available use a bfh and a 2x4 and beat it on as far as it will go then tighten the bolt to spec and all is well . Also always make sure to hit the center of the balancer not the outside so as not to damage the balancer .
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Old Aug 15, 2009 | 11:29 AM
  #15  
firebird896's Avatar
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From: Chicagoland Area
Car: '89 GTA/'86 TA/98 TA
Engine: 350/350/LS1
Transmission: R4/T5/4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.23/2.77/3.73
Re: Engine gasket replacement(help!!)

Gotcha, Im going to return the puller now to loan the installer, Thanks guys I'll tell u how it goes
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