Forum

[Dean]

Sorry - when I said the washers came off I was referring to the two washers on the bolts near the plug and decompressor. I don't see a bolt above the tappet cover and there is no mention of such in the manual. Am I missing something here?
thanks, Dean

[Dean]

Thanks Mark - will try using a nut on the bolt to lock it to the sleeve nut - should have realized that on my own

[Dean]

Mark - tried using a nut on the bolt to lock it down. Still no success - doesn't feel like the bolt is locking down on the stud with enough force to turn the stud out - have tried it on all 4 studs. Amazing how a half hour job can turn into such an ordeal, but I guress that's what hobbies are for - to challenge us and make us think. Next step appears to be the wedge of wood on the frame with clamps to try to ease it off. Barring any other suggestions, I will give it a try.
Thanks again, Dean

[Alan R]

Hi DEAN--- have just re-read only your postings... Have you actually removed 6 washers, one from each of the following}--- a)the short stud alongside the spark plug---b)the medium length stud alongside the de-compressor, ----- c) the 4 long studs accessed from within the 2 rocker boxes??? If NO then you have 1 or more of those washers spread out and have grabbed the screw thread.... If YES then it's likely that one or more of the hole tops itself has spread out and grabbed the thread...either way they DO give a really FIRM grip onto the head, so NO sudden shock moves but more the slowly-increasing lift type..... You might also try to alternate UPWARDS and DOWNWARDS movements so that the screw thread acts like a file.. Now you mentioned that the head has actually broken free from the barrel,(What sort of vertical gap do you have ??)...Just above the tappet access plate is a vertical stud fitted into the top of the crankcase---- it holds the barrel to the crankcase when the head is removed and the engine rotated...It has NO effect on the head at all and at this stage it's probably better left in..Again, can you get a few images posted to help judge the situation....???----Keep those chins up---it WILL come off, eventually !!!

[Mark M]

Dean (and Alan R,) if the barrel is now loose and the head has lifted a little you may be able to use the barrel as a slide hammer, jerking it upwards to apply some force to the underside of the head. I would still persevere with getting the studs out, I'm very surprised that none of them have shifted at all. You realise that unless we solve this it's hacksaw time?!
REgards, Mark.

[Mark M]

Dean, just had a thought- if the head won't move using these methods clamping plates onto the rocker cover studs and then using a screw jack (which is what the clamp is effectively doing,) will just tear the studs out of the head: they are small and fine threaded, not intended for this kind of abuse!
REgards, Mark

[Beezabryan]

Reading again I seem to remember that only 2 studs are stuck & the rest are free....this indicates that it is possible to rock the head slightly..... in this case a firm grip of in & ex ports with up wards pul whilst rocking the head will, with great patience, move the head upwards and off...This has worked for me a couple of times without resorting to butchery......and believe me folks that head was stuck on bleddy tight.... before refitting, with H's hardened washers, the stud holes were drilled through to get rid of the tight spots.....Have patience folks, it often works well.

[Dean]

Alan - the only washers that I got of were on the two studs near the plug and decompressor - backed those studa out and the head moves a bit more. can see the other 4 washers from the sleeve nuts, but they won't come out with a magnet.
Mark - thanks for the "heads" up regarding the rocker cover bolts, as that is where I was going next - will hold off on using them with a brace and clamps.
Guess I will just keep rocking it back and forth, but it doesn't move much - it will rotate more than it will rock.
Thansk, Dean

[Thomas]

Dean - had a similar case some years ago, as a last opportunity you can try something like this: http://666kb.com/i/b7golu2p6lf3g9834.jpg The plate is mounted to the head using the bolts from rockers and caps, the four bigger bolts push on the cylinder studs and are pulling the head off. Needs some time and equipment to make it, but will definitely work.

[Norm]

Dean,
You had better go back and find the nut above the tappet door before you try forcing the barrel/head up,Break that out and you are up for an expensive repair. It holds the barrel to the case. Trust me I have seen them busted there and I've had to repair them and it isn't fun. With the studs if the problem continues, screw a nut on get inside with an arc welder and weld the nut to the stud. No problems then, job done in half an hour