ok so I have my engine down to the heads. I have 3/8 and 1/2 sockets and breaker bars for both, including an air impact gun. I have broke 4 sockets already and have not been able to get any loose. What am I doing wrong??

 

You've broken sockets trying to get the head bolts loose???? They should NOT be on that tight. Have you gotten any off?

 

I have not gotten one off, I tried 6 bolts already with no luck.

 

former VT'er here. lived in Rutland

 

Righty tighty lefty loosey
That sux is it the first time hg job on this one?

 

I ask cause if po did them... Who knows what kind of voodoo crap might be on them.

 

yes first time, I went and bought impact 1/2 deep and regular sockets. I broke a few free and stripped 2, issue is with the 3 inch lift and the Hard Labor Creek front bumper it is hard to get good footing the break them free, I sat on top of the engine bay and got a few free. Will work more in it Sunday when I get back in town. Boy is this harder than expected, I have torn a few engines in my day and this is by far the hardest.
Thank you both for your responses.

 

Wow sorry to hear of your tribulations. I have torn down a couple of these and never broken a socket. You just got lucky, I guess granted the back couple were always a pita, especially if I couldn't get an angle or get my fat *** into it. Good luck

 

I used this 1/2" Drive 25" Breaker Bar and a 6" extension and the appropriate socket. No issues they came right off Mine looked to be the original gaskets on a 83 110 3.5

 

I used a similar bar, a three inch extension for the back two, and slipped on a 4 foot piece of water pipe (the cheater pipe). The extra length equals leverage, but also the ability to work with the odd access angles. For me, standing on one of my ramps next to the truck helped.