Removal of 87 4kq head with EM and downpipe attatched accomplished

[Tom B]

Hello list,
This is to let the list know that you can take off a 4kq head with em/dp 
attached. I found the procedure to be fairly easy when compared to trying to 
get at the rusted e.m. and dp nuts. After spending literally hours trying to 
get off two rusted, rounded nuts on the bottom of the e. m. and four blobs 
of rust that claimed to be d.p. nuts, it took me only 45 minutes to pull 
head with all attatched. After head was off it took another ten minutes to 
get the em off and the em/dp seperated.  Much easier. I used the following 
method:

1: Took everything off of the head, ie: brackets, distributer, etc.

2: cut bolts holding dp and cat together

3:loosened dp mount to subframe

4: loosened and moved coil.

5: removed rf cv heat shield.

6.loosend inner rf cv and moved it up and back.

7. Placed a person with one foot on engine and one foot on the front bumper.

8. Had him pull head up and twist 90+ degrees back towards the coil bracket 
while I worked the dp flange around the subframe, etc.

Two minutes of twisting/ pulling and the head was out of the car.

CAUTION
The head with exhaust manifold and downpipe attatched is very heavy, and 
there is not a lot of room to work with it. Be carefull not to crush fingers 
or hurt your back.

Thanks again to all who gave advice on this.

Tom B
1987 4kcsq, finally beheaded, reanimation to commence ;-)

<<Hey all,
Thanks to all who replied to my question. I reaffirmed once again the saying
YMMV is true, at least in regards to trying to pull a 4kq head with
em/downpipe installed.

Replies to this question definately varied. One lister said that he did not
think it could be done, another said yes it will come out but it is very
heavy, a third said I might have to drop the subframe and chop out the
battery box,  and a fourth said all he had to do was remove the rf cv shaft
and cv shaft heat shield and with lots of twisting it comes out (he
recommended taking pics because it was so humourous trying to get it out).
hmmmmmmmmmm.

I guess I'll have to try it and find out just which route I will end up
taking. At least now I know this can be done. Thank you Brendan, Jay, Clint
and Jon for sharing your experiences. I shall be sure to post which approach
I use.

This list rocks :-)

enjoy all,
Tom B




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