head that won't budge

[wingski]

The head is off. Two super sharp hunting knives and a small ballpeen hammer did the trick, but thanks for all the advice.

Mike

 

[H. L. Chauvin]

Hi Mike,

Inexpensive handmade hardwood wedges, (oak or maple), always worked for vintage mechanics to remove heads off of "all" vintage heads on "all" types of vintage engines; however:

1. Today, first problem is finding someone today with enough talent to make several wood wedges; and,

2. If handmade wedges or even if wood wedges were sold by Model A parts suppliers, second problem would be finding someone who knew how to drive in wood wedges between the head & block to maintain metal faces of head & block parallel at all times with all head stud holes perfectly aligned with head stud bolts.

Glad you got it off.

 

[Railcarmover]

Hi Mike,

Inexpensive handmade hardwood wedges, (oak or maple), always worked for vintage mechanics to remove heads off of "all" vintage heads on "all" types of vintage engines; however:

1. Today, first problem is finding someone today with enough talent to make several wood wedges; and,

2. If handmade wedges or even if wood wedges were sold by Model A parts suppliers, second problem would be finding someone who knew how to drive in wood wedges between the head & block to maintain metal faces of head & block parallel at all times with all head stud holes perfectly aligned with head stud bolts.

Glad you got it off.

Wood wedges are easy,the hard part is tying the stone to the stick to fashion a striking instrument...cavemen have been gone for years..

 

[marc hildebrant]

I would not want to damage a useful hunting knife. Hopefully that knife's were not in good shape ?

Marc

 

[barkleydave]

Great you got it off... I changed my head this spring. Used... engine start putty knife then wood wedges only on corners... took some time.. As all have said. PRY ONLY ON THE 4 CORNERS NOT IN THE CENTER.

Also I used a small Dead Blow hammer they work great

 

[29er]

I made my own head puller based on this instructive video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtgvnT6ab0U

 

[Brendan]

What ever you do,,,,,,,,don't put small pieces of rope in the cylinders thru the spark plug holes and crank it over as some people recommend. Just my 2 1/2 cents.

people say that all the time! i would like to see what it will brake

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

people say that all the time! i would like to see what it will brake

It can crack or deform the piston skirt, and might bend a rod if enough force is used.