XJ header replacement *now with more issues!*

GotWood

GotWood

Sayer of Fact
Joined
Jan 12, 2007
Location
Maiden, NC
I'll just start this as a rant/tech write up. I'm replacing the splitting header problem that we all have. As I begin the disassembly I have instantly realized it is physically impossible to torque all of these bolts to spec with the motor in the Jeep. I'll rant more later.
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You *can* fit a 10" extension and a 9/16" universal under the intake on a torque wrench. I've done it hundreds of times.

Easy? No. Make you curse a bit? Yep.
 
Glad you'redoing it first, I am going to have to go through this shit too...
 
Like Tony, I've done a few header swaps on my XJ's and I've always torqued them to the "good enough" spec. I always tighten mine with a ratchet wrench, never had any issues yet.
 
Jody Treadway said:
You *can* fit a 10" extension and a 9/16" universal under the intake on a torque wrench. I've done it hundreds of times.

Easy? No. Make you curse a bit? Yep.
Click to expand...
No problem with extensions/universals. The problem comes to the math. With 2 extensions and a universal joint you lose a lot of torque. Figuring out the angles and slop factor is beyond my pay grade!
 
It's off but I've obviously found other issues. After peering into the intake/exhaust ports I'm wondering if a head job is in order (I'll ask the wife about that one later!). I'm going to do a compression check tomorrow and decide from there.

I'm going to be changing some freeze plugs too I guess.
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It's this large intention in the exhaust factory? Looks like it could be for drive shaft clearance but it doesn't seem right.
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If you look to the upper left of the pic under the exhaust port the gasket is kinda bloated out. This section is just sitting against the head and block. It looks like water has weaped out between the head and block. Here is a pic of the gasket.

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If it's leaking I may as well have the head rebuilt while it's off. The ports are pretty nasty and the back exhaust seems to have a lot more carbon buildup than the others.

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I think the head bolt/stud in the front corner of the block is the one that should have sealant applied, to keep coolant in. Could the head have been pulled once before and this sealant omitted? The freeze plug fixes indicate someone has tore this engine down a least a lil bit.

I had a WTF moment first time noticed the factory dent in the downpipe. I thought it was an ECORS induced phenomenon, but then found it on my DD, and every XJ I looked at after that.
 
Got the freezer plugs replaced now on to the valve cover. I'm tempted to use no rvt on the gasket but I just know it will leak eventually.
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Also cleaned the intake and exhaust ports the best I could then vacuumed then out.
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