well i would be doing it in my garage even though a friend of the family has a shop but i dont want to take up one of his bays for something hes not making money on...and my back is fine since im only 22.... just trying to figure out the fastest but easiest way to do the heads

 

It is going to take longer than you expect to put it back together if you do the heads with the engine in the car. Getting the heads off is no big deal, took us about 4 hours to get everthing off but putting them back on and getting the right torque is tough working under the cowl. You will definitely need the torque angle guage, $10 at Autozone to get the correct torque.

It is alot easier lifting the heads off the old gaskets than it is setting the heads back in and aligning with the dowels. I messed one gasket up by allowing one corner of the head to hit it not sitting it straight down on the block. Didn't take any chances, I bought another gasket for that side.

One thing I think I would do different is, I would put the plugs in the heads before mounting the heads to the engine.

It took me longer to put the exhaust manifolds and spark plugs back on than the rest of the job. (was really wishing I had dropped the cash for a set of headers just so I could get where I needed to be with a wrench)

If I had it to do over, I would still do the head gaskets with the motor in the car considering all the other things that you have to do if you are taking the engine out the bottom and if space is an issue. It is definitely easier to work on these engines with them out of the car but timewise, with pulling the engine, it would take just as long if not longer if you have never dropped one from the bottom.

I would plan on 2 full days of work for the complete job, especially if the exhaust manifolds have never been off. But then again, you are only 22! I don't bend nearly as easy as I use to!

 

As a general rule that is a no, no. In most cars it is easier to do it that way but all it would take is a slight bump to crack plug or throw out the gap. I have been known not to follow general rules but I thought would let our young friend here know the risks.

 

Yes, thanks.

 

well i planned on putting the plugs in last just to be on the safe side of things

 

Mbar,
How did it go?

 

havent started on it yet, been too busy so the camaros been sitting in my garage and ive been driving my 98 blazer just to be on the safe side and not mess anything else up on the maro and maybe cost me more money

 

still havent started yet but i am getting all the parts and everything together and was curious as to if anybody had any suggestions i should do for mods/upgrades while im working on the head job?