I am going to replace the head gaskets on my 2003 F150 Lariat 4.6L 2WD and was looking for some advice/help.

I was wondering if anyone knew of any specialized tools I would need. I know I need a tool to remove the fuel rails; any ideas where to purchase them?

Any other advice? I plan to replace all of the gaskets from the header up since I am taking everything off. Good place to purchase the gaskets? or just get Motorcraft?

Any good guides out there? I have AllDataDIY but it tells me to take the entire engine out to remove the heads. I usually find the AllDataDIy to have good information but that just seems completely unnecessary.

Thanks for any advice .

 

I know people do them in chassis but if I had to do it, I'd pull the motor and do it on a stand.

 

dont pull the engine, waste of time, i did mine just fine without pulling it, you can do it all from within the engine bay. fel pro gaskets are fine, motorcraft are good but spendy. i would recommend getting 2 of the camshaft holding tools they are like 34$ from a bunch of places online OTC 6477 is the tool if im not mistaken. fuel line tool you can get at autozone or oreilly or whatever youll need harmonic balancer puller which you can rent or buy from auto store. its not that hard get them sealing surfaces super clean, ALL OF them, and USE TORQUE SPECS and youll be just fine

 

Take the front tires off, and let it down close to the ground. It's much easier to work on at that level.

 

Buy the head gasket kit. It's like $120 for gaskets and bolts.
You can do the fuel lines with a piece of cereal box or buy the tool for $10.
You also need the intake manifold gaskets as well. Do sparkplugs while it is all apart

 

Can't lower it to close to the ground because you have to remove oil pan bolts that go into the front cover, and the power steering pump, so you will need some access under the truck.

 

WOW thanks for all the responses!

So I have taken off stuff to where I will be taking the intake manifold of next; to include the alternator. I ended up using a slightly modified permeant marker cap to take off the fuel rails.

I think I will try and find a machine shop to take my heads into so that they can make sure they are still within specifications or make they within if they are slightly "warped".

Will I need the camshaft holding tools before I take off the heads?

 

If you rotate the crank to tdc it will be in a neutral position and the valves shouldn't hit the pistons. But it never hurts to have the tools.

 

You will need them otherwise one or both will jump time

 

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