m117 5.6L head removal
 

How exactly do I take the heads off of my m117? Obviously the bolts need to come out, but what do I do with the timing chain to release it from the sprockets on both sides? Does it need to come out completely.....or should I just pull it through so that one end hangs out each side of the engine? Thanks in advance from a total newb :D

I usually take the whole engine transmission out to do that job.
Sounds like a bear, but in the shop this makes everything accessible.



.

On my 4.5 (m117) I took the chain off the sprokets, and tied the chain to a long "feed wire" I could use to pull it out of the block in case it fell down (and it did). Make sure the engine is at TDC when you start, it makes retiming the chain easy as cake.

I literally just came in from the garage after doing this on my 5.0.
As you look at the front of the engine, on the RHS, I removed the cam sprocket. On the LHS, I could then leave the sprocket in place, and just loop the chain off. As soon as I lifted the head up about an inch, I could fish through the chain, feeding it with one hand, pulling it through with the other.

so I should probably mark both sprockets and the chain in both places so that I can put the chain back in the right position later on? Also, I assume that you looped the chain off of the right hand sprocket after you removed it (the sprocket), right?

Yes, put the engine to TDC, and I used some liquid paper to mark the chain with regards to the sprocket.
On the RH sprocket, I unlooped the chain, and took it completely off the engine. On the LH side, I then just unlooped the chain from the sprocket, and let it dangle towards the RHS. This is all assuming you've already removed the chain tensioner from the LH head.

so for reference, the #1 cylinder is the front passenger side one, right? Also, I am assuming that the sprockets only mount on the cams in one position...correct? Also, did you need any special tools to pull the heads (the Chilton manual lists a tool that appears to curve around the camshaft for removing the inner bolts)? Thanks for all the help

No special tools as such... That special tool for removing the bolts under the camshaft can be substituted for an 8mm ball headed hex driver.
The cam sprockets only fit one way. They are on a keyway.
The only other thing you will need is something to pull the pins holding the inner chain rails. I put a short m6 bolt in the pins, with a penny washer, and used the claw end of a claw hammer to lever them out. I used a rag between the hammer and cyl head to stop it marring.
You'll probably need to helicoil the head bolt openings after you've pulled the heads. Some of threads in my bolt openings just crumbled away.