[instarx]

How far does a head have to be raised from the block before it is free? Once I remove the head bolts, how far would I have to pull the head to be able to move it back and out of the engine compartment (or, I guess, up to the top of the block)? I ask this because I have a van and clearance is tight. In trucks you can just pull it out as far as it takes I guess, but not in a van.

Right now I have three choices - try to do the job myself, hire someone to do it ($$$!) or just donate the thing to a charity and let them worry about it.

Did I read right that the head assembly simply lifts out, valves and all? On the van would I have to remove the rocker arms, valves etc first? I only have a foggy idea of how all that stuff fits together under the valve covers. Thanks in advance.

Chuck

 

[phantom 309]

most v8/v6 motors have dowel pins to locate the head onto the block,. these generally are less than 1/2",. i,ve never actually had a head off a 6.5l,.so it may be different,.i,ve done head re-re's in a van before, and to make life a little easier i used cloth strips tied onto the rocker studs under the loose rocker arms to help with swinging them into place,
it's a labour intensive job, and on a van it'll be a back breaker, i would take the front seats out if i had to do it again,.use a straight edge across the block in between the bores etc,. to make sure the block is straight, then do the same with the head,. you might want to consider removing both heads and having them rebuilt, (or exchange)
best of luck,.
nick

 

[DavidPhillips]

About a 1/2 inch and you can move it on mine.

 

[Tracy]

Instarx don't envy your job. Not certain but if you get head bolts undone and pulled out then lift the head a little bit then pull the push rods, nothing else should be in your way. You may need to unbolt the common rail first, move it a little in order to get the push rods out, that is what typically would be done if you had lots of room to work. If you can get the head bolts loosened you most likely can unbolt the common rail for the rocker arms.

Good Luck

 

[Matt C]

The rockers are all on rails. 4 per rail, 4 rails. Make a box marked front and back, drill holes in it that you can slide the pushrods into to keep them in order.

 

[instarx]

The rockers are all on rails. 4 per rail, 4 rails. Make a box marked front and back, drill holes in it that you can slide the pushrods into to keep them in order.

Sorry if I seem dense, but to be sure... You are saying I just loosen the four sets of rockers, then I pull the rods and keep them in order. Then it's just wrangle the heads out? That's all there is to it? I'll do it tomorrow. (Just kidding).

The box idea is good -tx. When I changed the water pump I took someone's advice on Dp to put all the bolts in individual containers and label them 1-9. That simple thing saved me hours of guesswork when I put it all back together.

 

[bow-tie-guy]

Shoot knkreb a PM. I would think he is the most knowledgable on van/bus repair.

 

[instarx]

Shoot knkreb a PM. I would think he is the most knowledgable on van/bus repair.

He'll show up here eventually.

 

[teroma25]

I have a manual on CD, here is a pic of the rockers. And do like Matt C said and make a box for the pushrods. Make sure when you put them back in, they go back where they come out and the right end in first.

 

[teroma25]

pic didn't work, maybe this time it will.