'70 K10--Head swap with engine still in truck

[zac]

My '70 K10 suburban has a good short block and terrible heads. I have a set that would solve the problem and make the truck much more driveable until I get my 406 done--machine shop I want to use is massively backlogged. With the engine sitting so far back it looks pretty tough. I really don't want to take the engine out until the new one is ready, along with the rebuilt trans and transfer case. Not nearly as easy as the square bodies, obviously. Anybody tried it?

[Louisvillekytruck]

Originally Posted by zac

My '70 K10 suburban has a good short block and terrible heads. I have a set that would solve the problem and make the truck much more driveable until I get my 406 done--machine shop I want to use is massively backlogged. With the engine sitting so far back it looks pretty tough. I really don't want to take the engine out until the new one is ready, along with the rebuilt trans and transfer case. Not nearly as easy as the square bodies, obviously. Anybody tried it?

Any pics of your truck

[zac]

A picture from 10 years ago that shows the good side, and then what’s been going on the last year and a half. With a little luck and some new cylinder heads, maybe I drive around a little with an orange door and lots of primer next spring. Then the rest of the bodywork, new engine, rebuilt trans and transfer case. Finally found a good axle guy— he’s working on them now while I work through this disaster.

[Louisvillekytruck]

Never seen that truck

[Mike C]

I replaced the heads in my Jimmy years ago with motor in the truck. It was easier when I was 22 than it would be now at 52… But if I had to I would do it again without pulling the motor.

[Killer Bee]

yes sir, done a lot of top end engine work over the fender of several big sedans and light trucks in my younger years.. today, I would prefer to remove the engine but could still manage..

the challenge really boils down to this - how strong and how agile are you? handling heads over the fender, not damaging head gaskets and block, etc. all depends on your physical abilities..

good luck!

[zac]

The pass side fender is now off, would make it a little easier. The other one I’m sure will have to come off for lower A pillar work. Master cylinder and brake booster would have to come off. Air box, but it needs to come off because the heater core is leaking. But I still wonder because it sits so far back in the firewall notch. I’m assuming getting to the bolts back there—and torquing them correctly—is a problem. It can limp around as is, but it’s sad. The heads are really bad. Can never find a decent machine shop. I’m late 50’s also and I’ve only got one more engine swap on this thing in me.

[burnin oil]

Its not hard at all to swap the heads in there. Done it more than once on my 72. The worst part is the headers but stock manifolds arnt bad. A SBC head only ways about 40lbs. It's easiest to pull the radiator and just sit under the hood.

[special-K]

Any time I need to pull the heads I do it in the truck. I replaced the heads on my '72 K2500 about 5 years ago that way. I've never removed the engine for head work.