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Stuck cylinder head

Technical issues not related to a DLOC car marque, eg tyres, ethanol, other car makes, etc. and legal, political and insurance
mikemillen
Posts: 307
Joined: Mon May 03, 2021 8:34 am
Location: Bognor Regis

Stuck cylinder head

Post by mikemillen »

Today I started to remove the cylinder head on my LD10.
I have everything disconnected and removed... all that's keeping the head on now is 75 years of stiction.

Can anyone suggest how I might safely liberate the head from the block?
I don't have an engine hoist or even a garage that I can suspend a block and tackle from.

Google suggests putting a load of nylon rope down into a cylinder and cranking the engine over.
Does anyone have any other ideas?

bop
Posts: 181
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2016 3:26 am
Location: Alberta Canada

Re: Stuck cylinder head

Post by bop »

Have you tried turning over the engine with the spark plugs in and push rods removed. The compression force should lift the head.

mikemillen
Posts: 307
Joined: Mon May 03, 2021 8:34 am
Location: Bognor Regis

Re: Stuck cylinder head

Post by mikemillen »

bop wrote: Sat Sep 11, 2021 9:51 pm Have you tried turning over the engine with the spark plugs in and push rods removed. The compression force should lift the head.
That's what I hoped, but sadly it had no effect. :cry:

Brian-H
Very Wise Man
Very Wise Man
Posts: 1095
Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2019 6:04 pm
Location: UK

Re: Stuck cylinder head

Post by Brian-H »

It must be lifted by a few thou. you might find where by feeling air getting out

Maybe try some hardwood wedges https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/631/i.html?_ ... ood+wedges

bop
Posts: 181
Joined: Mon Feb 15, 2016 3:26 am
Location: Alberta Canada

Re: Stuck cylinder head

Post by bop »

The rope trick should work, just make sure you turn the engine over by hand so you can control the force exerted. I would not use the starter. If you have compressed air another method is, remove spark plugs and try forcing air through one of the spark plug holes.

mikemillen
Posts: 307
Joined: Mon May 03, 2021 8:34 am
Location: Bognor Regis

Re: Stuck cylinder head

Post by mikemillen »

I shall definitely try the rope trick. May not be for a week now, as other commitments preclude another attempt soon.

My ever-wishful thinking is that leaving it a week with all nuts removed and the day/night temperature cycling in the garage might possibly allow it to relax and move enough so it will be an easy job when I next try it.

Well... you have to keep optimistic, don't you? :)

Brian-H
Very Wise Man
Very Wise Man
Posts: 1095
Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2019 6:04 pm
Location: UK

Re: Stuck cylinder head

Post by Brian-H »

You might still need some wedges to initially level it on its way up

mikemillen
Posts: 307
Joined: Mon May 03, 2021 8:34 am
Location: Bognor Regis

Re: Stuck cylinder head

Post by mikemillen »

Brian-H wrote: Sun Sep 12, 2021 5:04 pm You might still need some wedges to initially level it on its way up
Yes... much preferred to an old chisel. :-)

Brian-H
Very Wise Man
Very Wise Man
Posts: 1095
Joined: Fri Aug 09, 2019 6:04 pm
Location: UK

Re: Stuck cylinder head

Post by Brian-H »

:D and there must be many of us who, in the past, have used old chisels to get cylinder heads to shift 8-)

Stan Thomas
Wise Man
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Posts: 795
Joined: Sat Feb 13, 2016 2:14 pm
Location: Penkridge. Staffs.

Re: Stuck cylinder head

Post by Stan Thomas »

Don't butcher your engine as being suggested.

Make some Plasticine "reservoirs" around each stud and fill with penetrating oil or diesel and leave it for a day or two.

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