Blew the head gasket!

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by John Owen

Can't tell from the photo, but your engine probably has head studs, not bolts. This makes it very difficult to remove the head while the engine is in a Cobra, particularly the drivers side. Double nuts on the stud will sometimes get them out, but engine removal usually the best approach. Imagine putting it back together and applying 135# of torque to the lower nuts on no. 8 cylinder. As to the little hose, loosen the clamp on the manifold side, then when the manifold is free, slide it back out of the hose. That way you won't reinstall the manifold without the little hose.

ed: You can't remove the upper head nuts without taking the rockers off, and I don't see the need for a stud girdle if the lifters are hydraulic.

Looks to me from the first picture that he has head bolts, not studs.

I need to replace a head gasket on mine also, but I have studs. No way is the head coming off with the engine in the car, so I'm removing the engine. Then I'm going to cheat. I'm just replacing it with a 514 crate motor.