Changing heads with
#1
Changing heads with
Do you it's possible to change heads without disconnecting gas lines. Will i have enuff room to push intake to the side and do one head at a time or should i stop bs'ing and disconnect. I'm concerned about disconnecting gas lines. I'm doing new heads and gaskets. Also I want to go back with iron heads. Do I have to get the Impala ss heads or are there iron heads for z28s.
#2
Disconnecting fuel lines is easy; just need the fuel line tool and it's cheap. I guess you could flop the intake up on the windshield and not disconnect the fuel lines, but it sounds like too much trouble to me. Plus who wants to fight the fuel lines when you're trying to get the intake manifold installed without causing an intake leak at the rear RTV seal
#7
Why do you say Iron heads are a bad idea? With z28s running at 220 and above i figured it would be extra protection. I'm not a stranger to being in traffic jams and hangout spots and my car smokin a storm. Is there any performance difference other tha weight?
#9
Aluminum dissapates heat better, allowing hotter combustion/higher compression before detonation. So, it could be argued that aluminum offers better protection in some ways, relative to detonation. I seem to recall that iron LT1 heads have different chamber shape, too?
If you are specifically designing to be able to tolerate severe overheating, then maybe iron is better. But in a performance engine you shouldn't be anywhere near 220. IF idling hot is a problem, get bigger fans. Edit: Does not apply to stock, as noted below. Note that I specified performance engine, which assumes performance tune that lowers fan cals. That is always a good idea, wether or not you elect to include a 160* stat. Fan cal should match thermostat selection.
Overheating susceptability with aluminum heads depends alot on the head bolt length & elasticity so you don't overstretch them at high temperatures, and that is specific to a given engine design and bolt selection. Engines with longer head bolts are more tolerant due to having more allowable stretch before yeild. SB's with good head bolts aren't as sensitive to that as say a Quad 4, where overheating is a no-no as the relatively higher thermal expansion of the aluminum will easily stretch the head bolts.
If you are specifically designing to be able to tolerate severe overheating, then maybe iron is better. But in a performance engine you shouldn't be anywhere near 220. IF idling hot is a problem, get bigger fans. Edit: Does not apply to stock, as noted below. Note that I specified performance engine, which assumes performance tune that lowers fan cals. That is always a good idea, wether or not you elect to include a 160* stat. Fan cal should match thermostat selection.
Overheating susceptability with aluminum heads depends alot on the head bolt length & elasticity so you don't overstretch them at high temperatures, and that is specific to a given engine design and bolt selection. Engines with longer head bolts are more tolerant due to having more allowable stretch before yeild. SB's with good head bolts aren't as sensitive to that as say a Quad 4, where overheating is a no-no as the relatively higher thermal expansion of the aluminum will easily stretch the head bolts.
Last edited by JP95ZM6; 04-27-2007 at 05:05 PM. Reason: Clarification
#10
People are subjecting almuninum LT1 and LT4 heads, plus aftermarket aluminum heads to huge shots of nitrous, and 20+ # of boost on engines making over 1,000HP...... why do you feel you need "extra protection"?
#12
I'll take you guys word for it. I just remember having iron heads on a cordoba 360 an I pushed a 78 ltd (351 cleveland) about 20 miles with no antifreeze (had a leak) and when I got all cooled down not a one problem. I just thought to my self wow, wish camaros could do that. however i'll take you guys word for it. I'm gonna get new heads anyway and with the price of aluminum these days 1 head cost $350. I just figured Iron would be cheaper and more durable. I'm not racing it and it has about 150k+ miles on it. Really i'm gettin ready for a rebuild I'm gonna try myself for the first time.
#13
Do you it's possible to change heads without disconnecting gas lines. Will i have enuff room to push intake to the side and do one head at a time or should i stop bs'ing and disconnect. I'm concerned about disconnecting gas lines. I'm doing new heads and gaskets. Also I want to go back with iron heads. Do I have to get the Impala ss heads or are there iron heads for z28s.
Aluminum heads are the way to go.
#15
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