3SFE Head removel

[Montanahelp]

I am in the process of removing the cylinder head on an 87 3SFE ( engine in car). I need to find out what I need to take off on the intake side of the engine. I still have the fuel rail, intake and throddle body in place. I have heard you can leave the intake on during removal, but the main wiring harness runs between the head and the intake. I don't see how I can lift the head off with the intake in place. It looks like the harness will keep it from lifting off?

Once I take the head to be checked out at the machine shop, should I be worried about the lifter falling out, or the shims? Do they all have shims, or do they get added if somebody actually adjusted the valves?

I nominate myself for the slowest head gasket replacement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[es250nut]

You might as well remove the intake and fuel rail. I would suggest releasing the fuel pressure at the cold start injector before pulling the fuel rail.

When you pull your head, you need to pull the cams to get to the head bolts. Use a permanant marker and number the exposed shims. Then before you take your head to the machine shop remove the lifter buckets with the shims in them, they should slide right out. It would be a good idea to number the buckets too since the only thing that would be holding the shim in the bucket would be the cohesion of the oil between the bucket and shim.

When you reassemble the head you will want to put each bucket and shim in their original spots.

While your head is out replace (or have the machine shop replace) the oil seals on the valve stems too.

[Montanahelp]

Would the buckets and shims fall out at the machine shop if I didn't remove them? I guess I don't trust the machine shop to keep track of them.

[toyomoho]

Don't risk it, mark each shim and bucket. The shop may not even need these parts. Keep in mind if doing a valve job the valves may end up lower in the seat. Be sure to recheck the valve clearances.