I think I'm going to be sick... I got the car all back together and was an hour from getting ready to start it up when I noticed that the steam pipe connection is on the FRONT of the heads.

I bought another guy's ported heads and they had "front" written in marker on one side, so I didn't REALLY look when I bolted them on since they're nearly visually semetrical (with the exception of the steam pipe holes). So, it appears they incorrectly marked the front and I didn't notice until now.

Question of the year - if I just plug that steam pipe hole, is there anything that keeps me from using them this way. Are they actually semetrical or do I really have to pull them back off? Also, is there any reason I can't plug the steam pipe holes since I bypassed the TB anyway?

I feel like such an idiot for not noticing this sooner and I'm wondering whether the shop or the guy wrote "front" incorrectly on them. Either way, I'm not sure whether to be mad or cry...

 

I asked a friend about this, and it seems the heads really are symetrical with the exception of that steam pipe hole. Even more, the steam pipe hole actually exists on the front and rear of the heads, it's just plugged in the front. So, if I just move the plug from the rear to the front I'll be fine.

That will involve removing the alternator bracket, but oh well... it's easier than rebuilding everything. It seems what actually happened with the incorrect labeling of mine is that they were labeled correctly once but then the plugs got moved.

Anyone else actually done this? Problems?

 

they are interchangable left to right. Just put the plugs in the front and the vent tube in the back.

 

I'd be interested to know if you got the plug out o.k. I initially tried to do mine and snapped my craftsman ratchet. Guess it was a little stuck
Let me know how much of a PITA it was.

 

Good luck, I tried removing mine too...didn't budge!

 

...and swap your temperature sensor while your at it...

 

Good point shoebox... thanks! I already bust off my cheap 3/8" -> 1/4" adapter, but went and got a new craftsman 1/4" drive ratchet and 3/8->1/4 adapter to try on it. I'm going to go try it here in a few minutes, I'll let everyone know how it goes.... (fingers crossed)

 

Only three words to describe my experience so far...

Whatthe...
Sonofa...
holy...

Twisted the head of the craftsman 3/8->1/4 off like butter and the 1/4" ratchet by itself doesn't have enough torque (I was grunting hard enough to shat my pants, no movement whatsoever)

Are these things supposed to come out? Anyone actually been successful? Do they make a 600 ft/lb impact wrench that fits in a 2" space behind the heads?

 

i used a breaker bar on mine to get it out it was pretty damn tight thats for sure