LT1 head removal: headers have to come all the way out?

[Sean 94z28]

I am about to pull the heads and was wondering if the headers can be unbolted and left in place. I dont' even know if I can get to all the head bolts with them in. Just didn't want to do the whole y-pipe, steering linkage, etc.

Also, I have never been able to remove my knock sensor (not from a lack of trying). If I only drain the block on the drivers side, will coolant go everywhere when I remove the passenger side head?

Thanks in advance
Sean

[fastTa]

I am about to pull the heads and was wondering if the headers can be unbolted and left in place. I dont' even know if I can get to all the head bolts with them in. Just didn't want to do the whole y-pipe, steering linkage, etc.

Also, I have never been able to remove my knock sensor (not from a lack of trying). If I only drain the block on the drivers side, will coolant go everywhere when I remove the passenger side head?

Thanks in advance
Sean

You can most likely get away with leaving the headers unbolted and off to the side. There is a total of 8 bolt holes on the "outer" exhaust side of the head.

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

Kev's right, but you might have to undo the y pipe just to drop the headers down far enough to be out of the way. The coolant can be sucked out of the block from the water pump with a wet vac.