mitfan311

I will be replacing the head gaskets on a 95 3.0vze in December and I havent gone over an of the manuals yet to read up on it. I was told that I would have to remove the cam shafts in order to take the heads off. Is that true? And how much of the upper engine (ielenum, Fuel rails) can come off in chunks?
Thanks
Wes

bugs1961

Yes, the cams will have to come off but that really isn't a hard job. Download the FSM here: http://www.ncttora.com/fsm/index.html if you don't already have it. Go to the EG2 section and there is a detailed step by step on the job. I did the same job 2 summers ago and it went well--truck is running great. I highly recommend you have the heads rebuilt and the gasket surface milled. The exhaust valves are nearly always burned beyond repair and typically get replaced. If you don't rebuild the heads you will have an engine that still runs mediocre at best.

I followed every step in the FSM, in order, and everything went well. The plenum comes off as an assembly, after the hoses are all removed. The fuel rails and pipes are removed one at a time. The injectors can stay in the rails but you should remove them and send them to http://www.witchhunter.com/probleminj1.php4 for rebuilding and balancing. At the minimum, I recommend you take the injectors off the fuel rail and replace the o-rings to prevent leaks.

The head bolts must be replaced because they are "torque to yield" and stretch during installation. One time use only and don't get retorqued after assembly.

Mark the heads as to whether they came off the driver or passenger side (by using a centering punch and hammer. I put one dimple on the front of the left head and two dimples on the right) because without the camshaft caps installed, the heads are the same. The caps must be installed on the same head they came off of so it is important to keep the caps together and sorted by head (keep them in a gal size ziplock bag when they aren't on the head. When you send the heads to the machine shop have the cams and caps installed on the correct head (don't have to be torqued down, just bolted on finger tight) so the machine shop can install the correct shims for valve adjustment after they are done with their work.

Take your time and clean everything up well and it should go well. Good luck,
Bugs

mitfan311

Thank you so much. I have downloaded the FSM now. It looks to be very detailed. I can let the machine shop deal with the heads while im cleaning up the inside. There is oil that has been gushing all down the sides from the valve covers. It just coats the exhaust manifold so that the smoke and smell haunt me. Im not sure about sending off the injectors. I would really like to have them worked by a specialist but im only going to have one short shot at this before I am back at school. (med school). I really need to make this truck last for the next few years while im finishing school. Im going into surgery so maybe this will be a little less nerve racking than a Coronary artery bypass graft. I really appreciate the help.
Wesley

bugs1961

No problem and good luck in med school! I think you'll find this to be very easy compared to heart surgery, but you'll have a lot of grease under the fingernails. But since you wear gloves during surgery you should be fine. I'm always amazed at the diverse occupations of the folks here doing their own work. I earn money flying 747s around the world but spend my free time (and a lot of the money) covered in grease. Been doing all my own work for more than 30 years now! Good luck on the project. There are several threads here of head gasket (HG) replacement with pictures. PM me if you have any specific questions and I'd be happy to help. Take care,
Bugs

abecedarian

Wow.
I would be more afraid of spreading a rib cage than installing cylinder heads. At least if you mess up with the engine, there are no casualties. And although I'm not a thoracic surgeon, if I only pay my bills (who needs to eat, right? ), I could buy a rebuilt engine with the remainder from a month's wages.

calisurferdude2000

Read over this post before removing your cams.

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...notice-118381/

mitfan311

Thanks guys. Im not getting paid yet. Quite the opposite. Student loans. Spreading a sternum is awesome. Nothing compares to a C section though. Its weird how similar surgery is to car mods and repairs. Except the head gaskets don't have to heal. And vacuum leaks dont heal themselves. It actually gives me a neat perspective going in. I have always loved cars. I rebuilt my 1984 300zx in 2006 top to bottom. I had more time then while waiting to get in school. The timing belt had gone out. I knew I could do better than a shop because i would take the time to clean paint and check every detail. And It tuned out great. Still doesnt leak a drop of oil.