I'm hoping to be starting the tear down process tomorrow after work, so I may be posting up questions very soon!


I have to say this forum is like an addiction - I just keep reading through different build threads and dreaming of different ways to spend money I have yet to earn...

 

We ALL have that problem brother. LOL.

 

If you ask about headbolts on this site you will get a thread like a "what brand of oil to use." 1/2 of the guys say you can re-use headbolts once, but not more. Some brands or hardware grades are better than others. The guys that say reuse usually also mention that a re-used bolt might be better than a cheapo imported off-brand.

What did you decide on replacing your lifters? Like the guy above said, take lots of pictures...let us know how it goes! Some of us other year 2000 owners are soaking up all the info when the fateful day comes for us!

 

I bought head bolts just because I didn't want to get mine out & find out they had already been re-used. Since they're not real expensive, I figured just get the new bolts for the new head & be done with it.

As for the lifters, I was planning on just cleaning up the ones currently in there based on some responses and other threads/info I had read. If I pull them & they look "bad", I'll probably post a pic & decide what to do after more responses, but I'm hoping to be done before the weekend is over - this thing needs to be my DD as soon as possible.

 

Well, the project has been delayed - UPS messed up the shipping, so I won't get the new head until Tuesday. Only plus side is that National refunded me the shipping costs, so I'll get "free late shipping" for the delay... at least it saves me another $45 bucks...

 

On this project save money where you can. On the head bolts, I like your thinking. I personally changed mine, cause I didn't want to do this job again either. Get new you'll thank yourself later. I bought the fel pro ones. Worth the price, but my parts guy also could get them by next day.

Jeff

 

I got the felpro bolts, too. $40 and in-store pick up. Laying on the bench waiting to meet the new head right now. There may have been "cheaper" bolt sets, but felpro seemed to be a common, trusted brand on here so I went with them. I said "cheap" since $40 is just a fraction of the $440 you pay for the new head.

I really hope this delay is the last hold up. I want to get this done, then find a spot to get the jeep a coat of dirt!

 

Just make sure you have plenty of space to lay everything out. I used about three benches, one for new parts, one for tools and one for parts removed/to be examined. Use some cardboard for your pushrods to keep them where they need to go back. Take your time and keep it as clean/sterile as you can. Cleanliness is key to keeping it running well and prevent future issues. Also another trick I learned is to slightly tighten the exhaust manifold bolts prior to loosening them. A slight turn tight might help back them out without incident. Put them back on with a copper antisieze. It's rated for higher temps and so far I have been using it every time on every bolt needing anti seize. HTH

Jeff

 

Space, unfortunately, is something I don't have a lot of (really small garage). I have as much cleaned off as possible, and hopefully the weather will be nice enough to utilize my deck area that is just an open door away. If not, I'll just have to get creative with keeping everything organized. Luckily, my work space will allow me to have all my tools close by.


So what all should I have on hand, as far as RTV, new oil, new antifreeze, anti-sieze, etc?

 

Some thread sealant for the front head bolt. Make sure you have the blue fel pro reusable valve cover gasket. Copper antiseize for the exhaust/intake bolts. Oil, antifreeze, you need some assembly lube for the rocker arms where the pushrods and valves meet the pushrods, probably change the spark plugs while you are in there. I can't think of anything else.

 

Assembly lube, like the purple max lube used to put engines together?

 

If you have some use it, if not a thin film of any kind of grease will work just fine.

 

Yes that will work if you already have it. Its easier to have everything laid out where you are going to be working so you know you are missing something and can get it before you start the teardown. Plan to try and have a vehicle to go to the parts store should something come up warranting you needing to get some parts or stuff. Keep us posted and if you want some help PM me for my contact details.

Jeff

 

The most important thing to lay out is the rockers/pushrods/bridges. these need to go in EXACTLY how they came out. (if you are not replacing them all, which I'd assume you aren't.)

I poked them all into a piece of cardboard in the exact formation they came out. Most of the time the head you are ordering/ordered will come with new valves/springs attached. Is this the case?

 

THIS for SURE. You will undoubtedly need to hit the parts store for some random/forgotten stuff. Make sure you have a way or this procedure will take WAY longer than expected due to walking to the parts store.

Haha. Good luck and feel free to post here and ask any questions you may have. No matter how stupid you think the question is, most likely someone has asked it before.