BeeperJeeper

I am in the process of replacing the head on my 98. I ordered new exhaust/intake bolts from dorman, I'll post a pic. Upon further investigation I noticed that two of the old bolts are shorter than the other two and the kit comes with two nylon spacers...does anyone know where the two shorter bolts go, and what about the spacers, I'm assuming they go where the previous shorter bolts go, (the bolts are all the same length in the new kit). And one more question, the new head does not come with the studs installed, which are included with the new bolt set, does anyone know which bolt holes the new studs go into by chance?
I could just wait to install them after I line up the exhaust with the head, I'll know the proper holes, but I'd like to put the studs in before I put the new head on, just in case there is a problem getting them in. Any info is appreciated.

PatHenry

Studs are at the very ends, at the bottom. 6 and 7



2 shorter bolts sounds like a P.O. being naughty. No idea about the spacers.

BeeperJeeper

Thanks PatHenry. You are always a welcome helper! I was wondering about P.O. he did a lot of things I don't understand! I'll check the bolts to make sure they don't bottom out before I install the head. How's the clutch job going?

dzywicki

You will reuse the cupped washers from the existing bolts. You do not need the nylon spacers. I used the same kit on my '99. If you are putting the manifolds on after the head is installed, you will want to put the lower/inner bolts in a little bit and then set the manifold on top of them. It's pretty much impossible to get them started by getting your hand in there.
And make sure you test fit the intake onto the dowels so you can see where it should be. I missed twice and swore that the manifold was on correctly. revved super high when I started it because of the air leak.

PatHenry

Anytime!! I think you'll be fine with the bolt length. The bolts on my 95 were definitely all the same size and there was no problem with length.

Re: intake dowels - I was able to visually see that the intake was on the dowels by looking up from underneath with a flashlight. Definitely follow the advice of putting the intake on the dowels a few times before putting the gasket and exhaust on so you can get a good feel for how it sits.

Clutch job would be going better if I hadn't snapped off the cross-member studs. Hopefully it will be done tonight though and I'll give a full report after I drive it with the new clutch.