For those of you who've done head swaps on these trucks, how long does it typically take you? Is this something that can easily be done in a day if you take your time and make sure everything is perfect? I work slow and quadruple check everything before proceeding onto the next step. How long do you slow workin' guys take to do this particular job?

 

Good question i would like to know this as well, as far as changing heads with the motor still in the truck. only times i have changed them the motor was on a stand and easily accessable.

 

It's not a terribly in depth process. It could easily be done in a day. The longest part is making sure the deck surface is clean and the torque process.

 

Not very difficult and easily a one day job. It's not like 4th gen fbodies where half the engine is under the cowl, there's plenty of room to manoeuvre around. Start spraying penetrating oil on the header bolts a couple days early to make things easier. And just be very careful when breaking bolts free (intake manifold, heads and exhaust manifold ones) no sense rushing and breaking the head off the bolt, your one-day job just turned into 3.

 

Most of the time goes to prep, like cleaning the deck and getting all that dam crud out of the bolt holes. A thread chaser will save you a TON of time.

 

I did it over the course of 2 days... 1 day tear down, next day was install... the only PIA part was Torqueing the head bolts.... A permanent marker helps alot!

 

I already have some ARP's so no TTY crap for me anymore

 

Yep, I did my head swap in around 8 hours taking my time and multiple trips to the parts store.

 

I'm getting ready to do mine. I have a bad valve retainer in one cylinder. I found this very enlightening
http://ls1howto.com/index.php?article=3

 

Good info right there