Cylinder head pins??

[Dprocks100]

Replacing my cracked head today with a new reman one. Didn't think of it until now, but do I need new head pins (I think thats what they are called)? I think they help align the head on the block or something. they are in the rear and front corner (2 total). My block still has one, but the other is still stuck in my old head and wont come out. the machine shop beat it up pretty bad trying. Do I need it? or will one be fine, or should I pull it out and not have any at all? Needing to get this done this weekend, or I would just have new ones shipped.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Good question. If it was me and I had no time to locate another I would use the one I have to locate the head and eyeball the other end of the head before torquing. That should get all the passages lined up close enough. Torqing the head should prevent further movement. It may be possible to use a roll pin of the right dimension but don't know for sure.
good luck,

Richard

 

[Dprocks100]

Thanks for your reply man. Thats what I figured I would do. Between the one I still have and the head bolts I should be able to get close enough. Ive called all the major parts stores around me and no one has or offers the part. Rock auto and summit dont even have them for my year range, so I assume they aren't crucial for my engine to run. I just wanna make sure before I turn the key on this thing and be back to where I started. I'd wait three days for that haha.

 

[turbo91xlt]

Its the same for v8's, head alignment dowels.

 

[Dprocks100]

can I just use any dowels? or are they specific to the engine?

 

[Mac]

People with the V8's usually don't worry about them, all the head bolts work just fine. Pins just help aligning the head and gasket and keep them in place.
Dave

 

[Mark_88]

Mine all fell out at some point and I replaced heads at least three times in 14 years...never once worried about those alignment thingys...as long as the head gasket is in the right place and you can hover the head over the block...I found setting it down and trying to move it messed up the gasket placement.

If you have an engine hoist it makes things much easier...those heads can get heavy real fast if you have to stretch over the fenders to place it...I've sat in the engine bay a few times to get it just right.

 

[Dprocks100]

Well lucky for me i have the engine pulled. It was a piece of cake lining it up. Im pretty sure i got it really well. Thanks for the confidence boosts guys!

 

[Mark_88]

haha...good to hear...I didn't think about removing the engine...

Thanks for the rep!