For a professional mechanic with experience: This job could take anywhere from 15 to 30 hours. They're efficient, have specialized tools, and know the shortcuts.
For a skilled DIYer with good tools: Expect this to take 30 to 50 hours, or even longer. This assumes you're comfortable working on engines and have a well-equipped workshop. Expect to spend a lot of time carefully removing and reinstalling components.
For a novice: This is not a beginner's project. It's highly complex, and attempting it without significant mechanical experience could easily result in damage to the engine or injury to yourself. It would likely take significantly longer than 50 hours, and you might need to seek professional help to finish it or correct mistakes.
Important considerations that add time:
* Accessibility: Working in the engine bay of a truck can be cramped.
* Component removal and reinstallation: Many parts need to be removed to access the cylinder heads (intake manifold, exhaust manifolds, various sensors, etc.). Proper torque specifications must be followed during reassembly.
* Head gasket replacement: This is almost always done at the same time as a head replacement.
* Potential issues: You might find additional problems like warped heads, cracked blocks, or other damage that adds complexity and time.
* Cleaning: Thorough cleaning is crucial to prevent debris from damaging the engine.
In short: Don't underestimate this job. If you lack significant mechanical experience, it's strongly recommended to have a professional mechanic perform this work. The cost of labor might be less than the cost of fixing mistakes caused by inexperience.
