Head Gasket and Rocker Arm questions

[Nox07]

I’m in the middle of changing out the head gaskets on an 07 Nox. I know you have to remove the push rods (and yes I know they are 2 different sizes..longer for exhaust and shorter for intake). I have the Lisle tool that removes the push rods easier.

My question is, do I have to loosen or remove the rocker arms to get to the head gaskets?
Or, can I just remove the push rods without ever touching the rocker arms?

 

[cavell]

Using the tool make changing intake manifold gaskets easier since you don’t have to remove rocker arms.
It saves no time if you plan on removing heads.
Remove rockers arms. Remove pushrods. Remove heads.
You are going to clean head sealing surface and handling heads with attached rocker arms is a pain.
You “should” resurface heads. Do you plan on doing that?
You torque rocker arms to 22ft/lbs. no valve lash to adjust.

 

[Nox07]

Using the tool make changing intake manifold gaskets easier since you don’t have to remove rocker arms.
It saves no time if you plan on removing heads.
Remove rockers arms. Remove pushrods. Remove heads.
You are going to clean head sealing surface and handling heads with attached rocker arms is a pain.
You “should” resurface heads. Do you plan on doing that?
You torque rocker arms to 22ft/lbs. no valve lash to adjust.

I hadn’t planned on resurfacing the heads. I was just going to remove the old gaskets, clean the surface with some gasket cleaner, and then replace with new gaskets.
I was thinking about (but hadn’t decided yet) replacing the lifters while everything was open. Since I believe all you have to do is remove the push rod tray (and use a remover tool) to remove the old ones.
I’m not really sure if I want to resurface the heads (honestly it’s a lot of work and I’m restricted with my work space). Plus, it’s a 10+ year truck

Thanks for your reply, didn’t know anyone here actually responded to posts

 

[cavell]

I took lifters apart on 1 equinox I fixed. Motor was filthy. Then I got pushrods mixed up on 1 cyl and bent a pushrod. I saw a set of lifters on Amazon for $34. Come on, how can they screw up a lifter? The car had a super quiet idle after I cleaned lifters. But that was 6-7 cars ago. I just sold my 10th one. Easy money.

 

[Nox07]

I took lifters apart on 1 equinox I fixed. Motor was filthy. Then I got pushrods mixed up on 1 cyl and bent a pushrod. I saw a set of lifters on Amazon for $34. Come on, how can they screw up a lifter? The car had a super quiet idle after I cleaned lifters. But that was 6-7 cars ago. I just sold my 10th one. Easy money.

Yeah I’ve got a box labeled and pics for each push rod and there position. That way I don’t mess anything up. So is changing the lifters hard? Or just removing the lifter tray, using a lifter removal tool to get them out and putting the new ones in? While I have access minus we’ll switch them out.

Do you know a good place to get all the torque specs?

 

[cavell]

Remove lifter hold down and lifters usually lift out. Yard by me sold lifters/rockers/pushrods for $20. I think they raised prices recently. Only torque value I’m worried about is head bolts and rocker studs. I go by feel on most everything else. I just Google it. I do peak at cam lobes when I do jobs and some have looked a little sketchy. I’ve yet to pull a cam.

 

[cavell]

My 08 has an occasional cold tap. I did heads 3 yrs ago. Didn’t touch lifters. I might try 0-30 oil. Kid was using 10-30 oil but 0-30 might help. In theory.

 

[Nox07]

Yeah I’m going to do lifters as well. Minus well since everything is exposed. For anyone else doing this just back flush the heater core too since it’s opened too lol

 

[cavell]

I did see a bit of crud on lifter plunger when I took them apart. I can see why they stick over time. Interesting how they assemble. I had a set of lifters/rockers in a bucket for couple years and finally tossed them in garbage. Figure I’d never need them.

 

[Nox07]

I’m seeing a whole lot of carbon buildup as I break it down tbh. Have you ever cleaned the rocker arms or push rods? If so what did you clean them with? Also, do you or did you soak your lifters and push rods in oil or assembly fluid?

 

[cavell]

I do use spray lube or wd40 to give rockers and pushrods a light cleaning at least. Look down pushrod for opening I guess. Yet to see a plugged one. You don’t set lash on rockers. So pump up or not is irrelevant. I pull fuel pump fuse and crank motor for 20-30 sec to get oil pressure. No need to fiddle with lifters.
Never used assy lube on stuff. It’s a used motor. Ha.