MaxxRPM

Local juckyard has a few PI cars and I can get the heads pretty cheap but its cold outside and I don't really feel like spending alot of time out there stripping junk cars........But, in case I do..........
........Is it possible to remove the heads without removing the timing cover (this would save alot of time)? Could I not just remove the cam gurdles and gear bolt (to remove the timing chain that way) along with removing the timing cover bolts that go into the heads? After removing head bolts and exhaust, wouldn't I then be able to lift the heads off, leaving the timing cover intact?
........I know it wouldn't be the "proper procedure", but it is just a junkyard strip after all..........

JC316

Yeah, you should be able to do it that way. I would just take bolt cutters and snip the timing chain and keep the cam gears.

Seabee1993

Saws all the exhaust, if all your after is the heads

96GT226410

+1 - Cut the exhaust after the runners meet so one "easy" cut and the heads are all nut and bolts.

Good idea with just cutting the chain, too.

MaxxRPM

Probably not.............After looking around a bit, it looks like there is 2 bolts that screw into the head for the chain guide and the rest screw into the block........And that's not even knowing how the tensioner chain guide attaches to the head........Looks like it will take a complete tear down at this point............Oh well, so much for trying to be Shortcut Suzie......

Stevo86

If you are on a serious budget save the timing chain guides, timing sets are expensive and when I tore my old motor down one was broken.