Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 So the Kid pulled the heads off my '01 Dodge Ram (6-cil 3.9) this weekend. I just remove the ancillary stuff and will be takin' 'em in to the shop tomorrow. It's been probably over twenty years since I've torn down an engine, so here's the Dumb Question: Should I remove the spark plug heat shields first? And when did they start usin' those things? By the way - engine has had a P0203 code for some time, which precludes getting a registration renewal smog check. Starboard side head gasket was breached between cylinders 2-4 (first two cylinders); it was aspirating coolant, causing intermittent misfires (2 - 10/ minute). Coolant test indicated exhaust presence; as expected, there was a quarter-sized steam-cleaned spot on the piston face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackwater 53393 Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 I recall metal heat shields on my brand new 1975 350 cid Nova. I don’t recall seeing them on my ‘68 Chevelle. Saw them on some late’60s/early 70’s Ford V8s too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 Yes and do not throw them away. They look like crap but are important. They keep your engine firing properly because the wire doesn’t fall apart from heat when your in a timber road and the sun is going down. Guess how I know? Oh, keep a spare long spark plug wire handy in your vehicle, just in case. Guess how I know? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted February 10, 2021 Author Share Posted February 10, 2021 11 minutes ago, Pat Riot, SASS #13748 said: Yes and do not throw them away. They look like crap but are important. They keep your engine firing properly because the wire doesn’t fall apart from heat when your in a timber road and the sun is going down. Guess how I know? Oh, keep a spare long spark plug wire handy in your vehicle, just in case. Guess how I know? Awrighty... how the heck do they come out? Are they screwed in or...? Dangit. I already put 'em in my trunk. They fit right nicely in the Miata boot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Ron Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 Howdy, If its on a miata you need it. Heat shields are fun to throw away until the part they were shielding melts or fries or......burst into FLAME. I once got to make a full wire set for my Dads ford because the wires were very Tired and we were traveling in the Rockies. No standard wire sets for the ford so I just bought wire and boots and cut and installed em one at a time. Dad thought it was kinda cool. Best CR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardpan Curmudgeon SASS #8967 Posted February 10, 2021 Author Share Posted February 10, 2021 15 minutes ago, Chili Ron said: Howdy, If its on a miata you need it. Heat shields are fun to throw away until the part they were shielding melts or fries or...... I once got to make a full set for my Dads ford because the wires were very Tired and we were traveling in the Rockies. No standard wire sets for the ford so I just bought wire and boots and cut and installed em one at a time. Dad thought it was kinda cool. Best CR It's not. The heads are off my '91 Dodge Ram 3.9 V-6... I put 'em in the trunk of the Miata to haul 'em to the shop. No doubt the engine needs 'em... I'm just wonderin' if they have to be removed, if I have to remove 'em, or if that's something the shop would do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Assassin Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 I remember the heat shields appearing around 1973 when catalytic converters were added. The converters and emission systems only worked with hotter running engines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 They are pressed in. Unfortunately they tend to rust in place and can be a bear to remove. I would leave them in place and let the machine shop handle handle them. I would ask the shop about them when you drop off the heads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Riot Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 2 minutes ago, Sedalia Dave said: They are pressed in. Unfortunately they tend to rust in place and can be a bear to remove. I would leave them in place and let the machine shop handle handle them. I would ask the shop about them when you drop off the heads. Glad you knew. On a Chevy they’re bolted on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 1 minute ago, Pat Riot, SASS #13748 said: Glad you knew. On a Chevy they’re bolted on. My Google fu is strong this evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chili Ron Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 Howdy, Dad thought it was kinda cool. Bought Chevy Impala after that. Best CR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hendo Posted February 10, 2021 Share Posted February 10, 2021 They'll just pull off. They ain't hammered in or nothing. Their sole purpose in life is to protect the spark plug boot. Definitely keep them and reuse them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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