Re: Head removal

[Jay Mackro <jmackro@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

At 10:33 AM 9/22/98 -0400, Paul Weimer wrote:

>yea...  head gasket problems.
>
>Wondered if those who have pulled the head on one of these 4
>bangers before would offer any secrets regarding good approaches 
>to free the head from the block minimizing any unwanted actions?  

Paul:

I doubt you'll have much trouble breaking the bond between the
block and the head.  Of course, removing the two hidden bolts
that come up from through timing chain cover into the front of 
the head, does make the job a bit easier.

But, once those bolts are loose, as well as the big acorn nuts
on the head studs, a few raps with a rubber mallet should loosen 
the head.

Now, the real work begins!  Raising the head uniformly, so that
it doesn't jamb on the carbon-encrusted head studs, is pretty
difficult.  I have tried standing over the engine, with one 
foot in the battery tray and the other on the rear of the 
passenger side fender (great for your paint!), and attempted 
to pull the thing up (great for your back!), What generally
happens is that you get it part way up, stop for a breath,
and it drops right back down. 

Using a light hoist - a come-along works fine - really
simplifies this task.  Note that I am NOT using the hoist
to apply brute force to break the head gasket seal, nor
to free the head when it comes up crooked, and jambs on the
studs.  The hoist should not be applying more force than
the weight of the head - it just holds the head from 
falling back down.  But, if you can crank it up an inch at 
a time, and use the rubber mallet to tap it free as soon as  
it begins to cock and jamb, the job can be accomplished by
one person with relative ease.

Jay Mackro
lotsa 4 cyl Alfas

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