Paul S Posted March 13, 2012 Report Share Posted March 13, 2012 This question is directed mostly to KHE because he has stated previously that he has had direct experience with this situation. Any one else offering a comment would be most appreciated too. My question is "What would you consider the biggest problem or nightmare associated with doing the thead repair on '99 STS with engine in the car" Thanks in advance for any input from any one on this subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 This question is directed mostly to KHE because he has stated previously that he has had direct experience with this situation. Any one else offering a comment would be most appreciated too. My question is "What would you consider the biggest problem or nightmare associated with doing the thead repair on '99 STS with engine in the car" Thanks in advance for any input from any one on this subject. Several things: 1) The heads are large and awkward to handle. You run the risk of damaging the gasket upon reassembly. 2) Drilling and tapping the holes will be much more difficult with the engine in the car - especially the rear head. A right angle drill will need to be used and making sure no chips get into the engine will be harder. 3) It takes a decent sized tap wrench to tap the holes - with the engine in the car, a regular wrench will need to be used which will be more difficult and take longer. 4) Reading the torque-angle meter is difficult enough with the engine on the stand much less leaning over the engine bay at the rear head. 5) Aligning the timing marks will be much more difficult with the engine in the car. One error there and you bend a valve(s). 6) The water pump crossover... With the engine in the car, removing the water pump crossover that is on the driver's side is an absolute SOB of a job. Not to mention re-installing it. 7) With the engine out of the car, the lower crankcase half and oil pan can be resealed with the latest GM sealant - it will not leak again. 8) The rear main seal can be replaced with the latest generation cartridge seal. I was going to repair my STS engine with the block in the car and had it stripped down to the block. I realized it would be more difficult to machine the head bolt holes at that point so I removed the block from the engine. It took 20 minutes to remove the block without the heads, etc. attached. I spent hours to remove the water pump crossover casting. It would have been faster to pull the engine in the first place based on the time to remove the water pump crossover alone. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul S Posted March 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 Thank you so much for your input I have much to consider at this point. Do you recall having any difficulty removing the the rear (firewall side) cam/valve cover? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted March 14, 2012 Report Share Posted March 14, 2012 Thank you so much for your input I have much to consider at this point. Do you recall having any difficulty removing the the rear (firewall side) cam/valve cover? I forgot about that - yes, it was a pain to remove with the engine in the car. With the engine on an engine stand, it was very easy to install. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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