AAX86

Got the pass. side head on just fine. Went to put the driver's side on and it was nothing but trouble. The damn things must weigh 50lb each and i just couldn't get it on the dowels. It kept shifting side to side.

I managed to scrape and dig into the gasket pretty good on a few parts.

pics were too big to upload so here's photobucket
http://s1341.beta.photobucket.com/us.../head%20gasket


Should i get another gasket? Those scratches are pretty deep. I can feel all of them.


Also any tips on aligning the head easier so this doesn't happen again? I don't have studs to drop it on.

rmodel65

buy some wooden dowls and stick in the bolt holes...id replace it they are cheap you did make sure the word front was facing the front of the engine on the passenger side didnt you?? if not youll have overheating problems..you might as well replace the one you scratched up because it would be a pain to get it all put together only to have to tear it down again do it once and do it right

dawson1112

I agree with rmodel65 . Get a new gasket and start over. Yes they are pretty heavy and cumbersome to try and install yourself. After attempting to pull the heads off of my big block 460 years ago I immediately went and borrowed my buddys cherry picker lol. The iron heads on the 460 are close to 75 pounds. I eventually bought a picker , and I will always use it to do heads. Is it overkill for a 302? Maybe... Is it far easier?? hellllll yesssss

mjr46

that gasket looks fine, scratches are not in any crucial spots, use it, and get some help lifting the head on

AAX86

Meh rmodel was right. 15 bucks is worth my peace of mind. There's no effin way i'm gonna have to do this over again.