cylinder head removal

[19_again]

I've got a really stubborn cylinder head. I've hit it with the 2 lb hammer , can't wiggle it loose using the exhaust manifold as a lever (put back on specifically to loosen he head). Any tricks I should try? I don't have an engine lift yet.
Thanks, Mike

 

[Brosky]

If there is rust at the third stud back on the right side of the head, you need to soak it down with the strongest penetrating oil that you can get for a day or so. Hopefully, it will then come loose.

DO NOT use anything between the head and the block thicker than a beveled putty knife to pry it apart or you can damage both surfaces.

I had one heck of a time getting my original head off a few years ago. And that was with only 52,000 miles on it. I hope that you don't have to do what I did below.

https://www.74tr6.com/cylinderhead.htm

 

[SilentUnicorn]

https://www.britishcarforum.com/tikiwiki/tiki-index.php?page=Unstick+a+Stuck+Head

 

[19_again]

I searched the archives for this subject but couldn't find much, didn't think of the wiki, thanks for a great tip. I've soaked down the studs with 3in1 and will try the rope trick tomorrow after some time for the oil. Only a small amount of rust on stud #4, but oil seeps right down alongside the stud so I'm a little less concerned that after I saw your horror story, Paul.
Thanks again.
Mike

 

[Andrew Mace]

I just went through a similar struggle yesterday with some friends and a Spitfire 1500 head. Rope trick didn't work for them, and even removing as many studs as possible didn't help. (For some reason, two studs -- possibly the wrong ones for the engine -- were so short we couldn't double-nut them nor could I get a good grip with my Craftsman stud extractor tool!) Fortunately, there is a spot on the "right front" (and "right rear") of the head where you can catch a substantial prybar without risking any damage to the machined surfaces of head or block. A combination of levering there and someone else banging a block of wood upwards best as possible against the left or spark plug side of the head finally got it free.

My $.02....

 

[alfa33047]

I have had problems with stuck heads and have found that if I remove the rocker arms, install the spark plugs, reconect the battery and then bump the starter that usually will loosen the cylinder head. If you can not use the starter and battery and the motor is still in the car, put your transmission in 4th gear and give it a small push, this should also loosen the head. Good luck, Bill C., Mesa, Arizona

 

[Roger]

I have had problems with stuck heads and have found that if I remove the rocker arms, install the spark plugs, reconect the battery and then bump the starter that usually will loosen the cylinder head. If you can not use the starter and battery and the motor is still in the car, put your transmission in 4th gear and give it a small push, this should also loosen the head. Good luck, Bill C., Mesa, Arizona

I find this trick works best with oil in the cylinders, though it's a bit messy.