Well heres the progress thus far. I never knew that changing your spark plugs could go so horribly wrong. I've learned my lesson for sure. Here are the pics. Does it matter that i left a bit of coolant in the block? Also what is the process for putting the head back on? New gasket of course, probably going to buy some new head bolts too. Do i have to chase the threads for the head bolts in the block? Do i have to put loc-tite on the bolts or anything like that? Just want to make sure i don't have to do this again. Thanks guys








Appears to be in pretty good shape for 115k miles. No sludge or anything.

 

You need to use thread sealer on the head bolts. I am un sure about any thread locker, but I dont think so, they wouldnt have you put 2 things on the bolt, I bet the sealer works as a locker also.

If you are buying new bolts, they come with thread sealer already on them. so no worries there.

other than that, looks like your in good shape, just be sure to put the same thickness gasket on both sides. (looks like your only doing one side).



as for chasing. Why not, it cant hurt, it will help be sure you got good torque readings. but I dont think is completly necesary in this case, if you painted over the hole then maybe, but I think you should be ok.


as for the tightning procedure. This is what AllData tell me:

Cylinder Head Assembly:
1. Install the new cylinder head gasket.
2. Install the cylinder head over the locator pins and the cylinder head gasket.
3. Coat the threads of the cylinder head bolts with the sealing compound GM P/N 12346004 or the equivalent.
4. Install the cylinder head bolts finger tight. Tighten the cylinder head bolts in sequence on the first pass to 30 Nm (22 ft. lbs.).
5. Use the Torque Angle Meter in order to tighten the cylinder head bolts on the second pass. ^ Tighten the short bolts (3, 4, 7, 8, 11, 12, 15, 16) 67 degrees. ^ Tighten the medium bolts (14, 17) 80 degrees. ^ Tighten the long bolts (1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 10, 13) 80 degrees.
6. Install the pushrods and the valve rocker arms.
7. Install the spark plugs. Tighten the spark plugs to 20 Nm (15 ft. lbs.).
8. Install the spark plug wire harness to the spark plugs.
9. Install the following parts: ^ The generator ^ The air conditioning compressor ^ The power steering pump bracket 10. Install the generator bracket bolts. Tighten the generator bracket bolts to 50 Nm (37 ft. lbs.).

 

Hell ya thats good, check this **** out and I only have 40k. I didn't own it for the first 30.
https://www.camaroz28.com./forums/sh...d.php?t=606771

 

yeah i have the haynes repair manual for that stuff (thank god). And i am using a stock GM gasket so both gaskets will be the same thickness.

 

'Let Me Get a Burger, Fries...........ah, and some napkins"

 

ok cool, you got it covered.

yea, your in good shape. you will be back on the road smoking mustangs in no time.

 

I love that commercial haha.

On a more serious note. What do you guys do to clean the gasket surface on the heads and block?

 

I got my heads cleaned up / tested at a machine shop so all I had to do was take a razor blade scraper and scrape the block along w/ some brake cleaner. Ive heard sooo many diff way to torque them, all you need to know is start in the middle and work your way out and do it in 2-3 passes of torque setting

 

Probably should have absorbed that coolant off the pistons with a cloth or something if thats what you meant by "leaving some coolant in the block". I don't know if thats a huge issue or not but I remember cleaning mine off pretty well after reading that I should during my head/cam swap.

 

Just remember to start all bolts by hand first before you put a wrench to them

 

I must have missed something here. Please tell me you didn't pull your heads to change plugs!! I am guessing either you broke plugs or stripped threads. What happened?

 

stripped threads, cheap "Back-tap" rethreader broke and peice fell into cylinder

I just chased all my spark plug threads on that head and i should be good to go. Any of u guys use sandpaper or possibly scotchbrite to clean the gasket surface?

Also i had to use a universal to get one or two of the head bolts near the spark plugs off. When im putting the heads back on, how do i make sure i am getting a good torque reading? Thanks guys

 

Keep sand paper as far away from that open motor, like in the next room. Use laquer thinner and a razor blade.

 

That actually looks like coolant in the oil. Well, the way it kinda stuck to the retainer plate.

 

Ditto, any type of hand worked abrasive it will make the surface wavy.