I'm about 2 hours into my head and cam install and i'm about ready to throw in the towel. I got the radiator drained and out. I took out the battery and the alternator, and intake ducting inc TB. Now I'm stuck on several things.

1. How in the world do you get the block drain plug and the knock sensor bolt off? My sockets wont fit and I dont have a 22MM box wrench sitting around for the knock sensor.

2. No auto store around here sells a GM fuel rail disconnect tool. They sell fuel line disconnect tools but they are sold with different sizes. What size do I need? Same deal with the hub puller, cant find one anywhere. Anything I can use instead?

Thanks for any help. Hopefully I won't have to ask another round of questions.

Rich

 

I got the knock sensor out when I did the cam, I just disconnected it with a wrench that size. I know I dont have a 22mm wrench so I used a standard one that worked, it came out pretty easy. The driver side plug I never could get out, I snapped a socket extension wrenching on that one so I gave up and just drained it on the driver side. I ran distilled water through it at startup to clean out the old coolant remaining, then drained enough to add the antifreeze.

I got a fuel line disconnect tool for around $5 at Pep Boys. I'd have to check the size but I think it said it was for GM fuel lines. Maybe do a search on disconnect tool and you'll find the size.

I bought a hub puller at Sears, they weren't very expensive, around $20.

 

Get the fuel line tool at Advance. The lines are different sizes. The tool should have like a 5/8s on one end and 7/16 on the other or something like that, can't remember exactly. Its like $4. Stick with it, I'm going through some rough times too.

 

1. I didn't take the knock sensor out. "Syphoned," if you will, the coolant out of where one of the top head bolts goes in.

2. You can always unbolt the fuel rail and take it off that way (injectors and all).

 

Could you elaborate on this? I just stripped the bolt for the knock sensor so it seems my only way to get the coolant out.

 

Put a long tube into one of the head bolt holes and syphon the gas out if you can't get the drain plug off.

 

You don't need to disconnect the fuel lines. Remove the 4 bolts that hold the rails on the intake, pull the rails up with the injectors intact, release the clamp that holds the two hardlines to the bracket on the intake. Release the plastic clip that supports the fuel lines on the TB cover. Flip the rails back and rest them on the windshield, out of the way.

If you are intent on releasing the lines, any good auto parts store should carry the Lisle disconnect set, 5 different sizes for less than $10. I'm pretty sure the supply line is 3/8" and the return is 5/16". Shoebox has the specifics on his Tech Pages.