i was discussing this with my friend, but it wouldn't be much easier. according to jon, the helicoil is 18mm and the timesert is 19mm. so it wouldn't be worth the trouble to try that.

 

Call me nuts, but if you REALLY don't want to take the head off, why not take the intake and valve cover off and take apart the top of 1 valve? Put something small and soft into the spark plug hole so the valve won't hit the piston then drop the valve as far down as you can see if you can fish out the heli-coil through the intake or perhaps exhaust?
Forgive me if that sounds stupid, lord knows I've never tried it, but just something that I thought of reading this thread.

The helicoil is probably too big though

 

taking the head off isn't going to be that big of a deal really. it's a high mile engine that is just going to get me by until something catastrophic happens to it. so then i can put a built 5.4 in with the eaton i have awaiting a engine to sit on top of.

plans are to just put new fel-pro gaskets and head bolts from the auto parts store and let it get me by for hopefully around $200 or so, compared to the easily $4,000 if i were to swap in a built longblock, trans rebuild and tune.

 

I wouldn't go with new head bolts on that engine. You can re-use yours, - well I would on that one. No, it's not advised. But, -your used OEM's are better than cheap new ones, IMO.

 

lol, awesome to hear that. how about gaskets? can i re-use my valve cover gaskets?

 

Sure, If you can. The head gasket may be alright. Valve cover, - I doubt it, but it's possible. Everything can either slide off real clean , haha ,- or NOT. Probably be a sticky batch lol. Fun fun fun...

 

if you had some extra cash growing mold on it now would be a good time for some trick flow heads....just a thought...

 

yeah, i'll just have to see how everything comes off and go about it from there.

also, how about the exhaust? think if i pull up the head enough to get the insert out, i can leave the manifolds on? or is that not going to happen?

 

Yes, you can leave the manifold on, -your better off. It will make it easier to reposition the head. Be as careful as you can doing and it might not be so bad ; IF you don't have to fumble around to much lol. Might wanna get that piston TDC before you crack it loose. Might make things a little easier, - could give you just enough room to get your flicken finger in there and send that sert sailing.

 

good to hear!
fingers are removable right? hahahaha, if i don't take the manifold off, i can put something between the head and block to keep my fingers safe.

 

finally got the intake manifold off! didn't really have too much trouble with it, just taking my time organizing all the bolts i'm taking off and what not.
upon removing the manifold, the lower half which is plastic was intact, but all in the valley there was what looked like another plastic cover or something, that was all crumbled and in pieces. i thought the plastic part of the manifold was bottomless and that was what was left. but i guess it's a heatshield or something?

going to get the covers off tomorrow hopefully, anyone happen to know if the front of the oil pan has those 4 bolts or so, screwing into the timing cover? i didn't take a good look today, but i assume they are.

also, i found out my egr was CLOGGED! full or carbon.....it was ridiculous. had to use a screw driver to get it all cleaned out and used 2 cans of carb cleaner to get more out.

thinking about doing valve guides too on the one head if it isn't too much, perhaps that will help out on the amount of oil my truck burns.

 

figured i'd share some pictures

 

got the valve cover off and it starts to rain......never fails.

 

Your doing this outside?? That sucks.

You get the exhaust loose at the ball flange yet?

The piece that fell apart is your Intake Manifold Insulator (6P013). Fits on like a jacket, -buttons in front if I recall. What the IMI actually does is insulate induction noises. It's not a big deal to go without IMO. There won't be a noticeable difference.

 

yup, doing all this outside in the driveway. it rained monday, then wednesday, then yesterday afternoon and it hasn't quit yet.

I haven't touched the exhaust yet.

I'll get a picture up later of that insulator, it just crumbles as soon as you touch it.