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EA81 Head removal


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Hello,

 

I'm pulling the heads this week.  I have a few questions.

 

I understand it can be done in the car.  I found the access holes for the rocker shaft bolts last night.

 

1. Can it be done with the intake manifold in place?  (This would be amazing given that i have AC, and Turbo MPFI plumbing)  It looks like it could be dropped down and slid to the back. 

 

2. Anyone have a good vacuum hose diagram for this?  Turbo EA81 seems to be less documented.

 

3.  Does the block need to be checked for flatness / sanded?

 

4. Should hydraulic lifters be cleaned / replaced? (I do not have any lifter tick at the moment)  Running synthetic 10-40 oil.

 

5.  How do i get the push rods lined up in the lifter during reassembly??

 

Thanks!!!

Edited by coronan
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I did a NA EA81 head job both sides in a std high Brumby in a remote location - no tree, no lifting equipment or people. It worked, does not cause nightmares. You might be lucky to leave the ancilary stuff in place but may get in your way. I recall finding a reason to remove AC just to retension EA81 head gaskets after a full engine build instal.

 

I did need to undo engine mounts to shufl things about to get those self aligning push rods out. You do need to concentrate on lining them up in the lifters, takes feel and eyesight and no distractions. Tell us how you go. If you do it in car, you wont need an engine stand or have it roll around the floor as you work on the head stud nuts :)

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pull the engine.

 

undo the rad hoses, heater hoses, fuel lines, exhaust behind turbo and wiring harness.

 

Mount it to a stand.

 

 

OR>>>>>

 

Unbolt manifold, flip it up over the spare tire area. Remove turbo and crossover pipe and pull the heads.

 

Either way works.

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Thanks for the note on flipping the intake.  It inspired confidence.  

 

I believe the head can be dropped out with out touching the motor mounts. (at least on the passenger side).

Unfortunately one of the intake manifold bolts broke. 

Ill post pics this weekend.

 

My local engine builder wants to "extrude hone" the head ports.  Anyone heard of this???

Some kind of sand blast port and polish method, i think?

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Plenty of room.

 

Passenger side is the hardest.  The head studs want to scratch the combustion chamber.

head pull

 

Head pull2

 

I want to do some porting and polishing.  I'm having poor search results with images.  

 

What is this ridge about???

intake port before

 

Any recommended areas to clean up?

Edited by coronan
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Port and polish questions:

 

The casting does not have too much flash.

 

Remove all of this valve shrouding? Raise the roof?

intke port

 

Remove most of port divider? Shave inside corner?

exhaust port 2

 

Raise the roof or just polish?

exhaust port

Edited by coronan
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