Easiest way to pull rear head/turbo

Been having some coolant loss issues lately and tracked it down to a bad head gasket. I decided against pulling the engine since I didn't want to deal with it all and the only engine stand I have is currently in use.

Last time I did the heads the engine was still N/A so no turbos. I got the front head off no problem and didn't have to remove the front turbo.

For the rear I am wondering the best approach? I'm pretty sure I can't unbolt it from the header like I did the front. Thinking I need to remove the rear turbo first then the head. Am I correct in those assumptions??

Unbolt the precat pipe, push it to the side. Pull the head with the turbo/manny still attached. This won't save you but a few minutes, so your call really

I'm pretty sure I pull it as a single unit, with precat and oil drain still attached to the turbo. IIRC stock there's some little bracket that also holds the precat to the block or something, so be sure to get that.

Good to know I can pull it all as one unit. Pretty sure I don't have those precat brackets on so makes it a little easier.

Thanks!!

From personal experience you will actually save time by pulling the engine. I cussed pulling heads on an engine still in the car. By the time I was done I could have had the engine yanked, heads pulled, new heads installed, entire assembly reinstalled and running quicker than just pulling the heads with the engiine in the car.

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Originally Posted by stealthee

From personal experience you will actually save time by pulling the engine. I cussed pulling heads on an engine still in the car. By the time I was done I could have had the engine yanked, heads pulled, new heads installed, entire assembly reinstalled and running quicker than just pulling the heads with the engiine in the car.

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^ It's true, "pull the engine" is pretty much step #1 for me now. Part of the reason I hope Nelson's motor plate group buy goes through - damn that would be nice.

Well so far I have only spent 3 hours and got everything off but the rear head. Figure about 30-45 on the rear head and I'm back to reassembly. Not to bad all in all.

My other issue is I don't have anyplace to store the engine while its out. So sitting in my driveway with all the rain we have been having would not be ideal.

If it were a DSM I would already be on reassembly in 3 hours. :p

I learned my lesson the first time, hope it all goes well.

I've done it both ways and I'm saying pulling the motor is the best way to go. I've got it down to a few hours after so much practice.

Otherwise with no engine hoist then pull the turbo/mani with the head. Count on a few busted fingers. Good luck.

I need an engine hoist just to pull the rear head + turbo + precat. Maybe I'm a weakling but that shit is HEAVY, especially trying to dislodge it and get it up, over, and out. :)

I pulled it before with the mani still attached, turbos had already been removed for 13T install. At the time I thought it sucked but it's actually fairly straightforward compared to some other cars I've wrenched on since then. Get a good pair of thick leather gloves when you're ready to muscle it out and your fingers will thank you afterwards.

Got the rear head pulled in about 30-45 min. Working now on getting everything cleaned up then reassembled.

Thanks for the info everyone.

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Originally Posted by Intropy

I need an engine hoist just to pull the rear head + turbo + precat. Maybe I'm a weakling but that shit is HEAVY, especially trying to dislodge it and get it up, over, and out. :)

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time to start hitting the gym?? =D

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Originally Posted by stealthee

From personal experience you will actually save time by pulling the engine. I cussed pulling heads on an engine still in the car. By the time I was done I could have had the engine yanked, heads pulled, new heads installed, entire assembly reinstalled and running quicker than just pulling the heads with the engiine in the car.

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I agree , i did the heads like a month ago without taking the engine out, trust me u would be screaming and cussing all the time when u work on the back head/turbo in both disassembling and installation. but then again it's up to you good luck tho.

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Originally Posted by sketch

time to start hitting the gym?? =D

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I hit the gym all the time! The treadmill, that is! :D

< skinny distance runner type

I'm curious about this too. I think I have a leaking head gasket, and I was thinking it was going to be the biggets PITA to remove the rear head. I'm in for the final times and busted knuckle count. :D

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Originally Posted by blackrob

I'm curious about this too. I think I have a leaking head gasket, and I was thinking it was going to be the biggets PITA to remove the rear head. I'm in for the final times and busted knuckle count. :D

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easier and much less frustrating to pull the motor out for a HG job. this thing can be a major PITA to work on in the bay - i'm short with long arms and girly hands and it's a pain in the ass for me. if you've got average sized hands i imagine it being even worse.

i've done it both ways, the motor was a dream to work on while it was out of the car.

Plus I think you can feel a lot more confident doing your timing job out of the car, especially if its your first time.

LOL.... I pulled the heads days ago. Guess you guys missed that post.

I got the front head back on today. Waiting on parts for the rear one.

O, i was going to suggest, reaching right in thar with your bare hands and ripping that sucker right off, of course this is after you've pried off the intake manifold with a crowbar to get that out of the way. Comes off easy that way, did it in like 2 min on a sunday afternoon. Dont worry about the parts, JB weld and a lil duct tape work miracles.

Looks like someone beat me to the punch with the " preffered method " among car enthusiasts, not sure why though...:p