I'm trying to remove my engine in pieces...since I don't have a hoist or an engine stand. so I'm taking the heads out first,but the first one I've started with,doesn't seem to want to come off!! I've removed all of the bolts (8 under the valve cover,9 outside near the plugs) the intake,all accesories & lifters have been removed. now I'm wailing the p-ss out of the head with a 16oz. rubber mallet and nothing's happening. there is no further instructions in my chiltin's book on removing the heads. the guy at the parts store believes the 16oz soft mallet should free the head.....is there anything I'm missing here?

 

I might take heat for this, but I take a long rod, and stick it in one of the center intake runners, and leverage that sucker off.

Ron

 

I wouldn't stick it in the intake runners but I would pry the living crap out of it.........

 

I saw the word "HEAT' in here, that got me thinking........could I use my propane torch to heat around the gasket surfaces? would this help?

 

I've never really had any trouble getting heads off unless I forgot a bolt. It sounds like you have them all out though. If you're not comftorable prying them off maybe you could turn the engine over by had and use the compression to break them free. This is just a thought i've never tried it. I don't see how you could mess anything up by doing it though.

 

Please don't. You won't gain anything by it, only run the risk of burning things around the heads.... I'd suggest take another, patient look around (maybe tommorow, after you've had a break from the project). Check to make sure no accesories are still bolted to the heads in the front, and that the exhaust manifolds and such are unbolted as well. Once the seal on the head gaskets is broken, the heads will come right off... the only thing that should be holding them on at this point is they're weight (they're heavy bastards!). Use a prybar as mentioned in the previous posts if you have to, but be careful!

 

I wouldn't think so, since the heat & pressure is what mated that gasket to the surface in the first place.

Also the two alignment pegs are probably tight, and don't want to let go.

I ussualy get it with one nice bump with a jack rod .

Ron

 

You're probably having trouble from the dowel pins. Last time I removed my heads I used a large flathead between the water pump hole and the head and just twisted. It came off easily. Good luck, and keep trying!

 

put a 2X4 accross the lifter valley opposite the head you want off. Then get a 36" crowbar, wedge the nose under the head (where it's thickest) and tip it off. Someone needs to hold the head from dropping.

 

beat your head against it as hard as possible.

Really tho, just pry it off.

 

I take it you decided not to sell your Trans am?

 

I had an engine on a stand and couldn't get one head to come off. It had been rebuilt using composite gaskets, stuck like JB Weld was used on the gasket. Pryed my eyeballs out, wouldn't budge.

I ended up putting a small hydraulic bottle jack with the base in the lifter valley and shaft under the head by the exhaust cross over passage. One pump after it was snug and the head popped loose. Was able to lift it off then.

 

that's a good idea five7! i might have to go at it with my scissor jack.


lotta *****: the trans am is in pieces now, I found the reciepts for all the new parts and I even found the title under the seat, I still don't have enough tools to part it out completly,so I'm just taking apart what I can and putting it back together right, it needs a new steering column,pass window,wing,front rim& tire,dash pad,taillight,stereo.....still cheaper than a new Trans Am! I don't plan on selling it unless I really need money,then again I might be driving it again by the time that happens....that would make it much easier to sell.

 

Umm... it may just be me, but it might be a good idea to keep at least ONE head bolt loosely installed while you go prying or jacking on the head. You really only have to break the gasket seal and dowel pins free, then it should just lift off (or fall of if you don't have something to hold it).

I'm only throwing that out there since I know it has happened before. Not that I have ever learned anything the HARD way....

 

I'd just like to be there when you bend over to lift the block out

For all the work to pull it apart in pieces, you'd be well on your way to having it ready to rent a lift and yank it...much easier than using your back.

But as far as getting your head off, try a 5lb sledge and a length of 2x4 to act as a "punch" to jar the head. Do as Vader suggested and leave a bolt on to keep it from falling/sliding. A firm, quick wrap on it may help.

 

When mine popped with the bottle jack, the intake side didn't even move 1/2 inch, but that was enough.

A scissors jack will have more "potential engergy" when the force is adequate to break the seal. Know what I mean? So, the one-head-bolt-still-in-loose is probably a good idea.

 

That's what I usually do, but with a 16oz. hammer. And use the wide side of the 2x4. It'll give enough that you won't break a tang or anything like that off the head.

AND!!!!! You're less likely to miss the narrow side of the 2x4 and hitting the head with the hammer, and like chip the valve cover mating surface. Not that I would know from experience.

AJ

 

this is going to sound stupid, but you didn't mention that you took your exhaust off.
also when i take heads off, i get my longest prybar and start at the front and get a good piviot point and pop the front off straight up along the direction of the head bolts. then i move to the rear.
jess

 

I've always just threaded one of the really long accessory bracket bolts into the front of the head and pulled up real hard.

 

So you took all the rockers off already most likely, eh? Thread a bolt or 2 in as vader suggested...and turn the engine over. Either by hand, or i've even heard of yahoos bumping the starter. At least one of the cylinders will have some air to make compression and then it'll pop itself up (helps if spark plugs are in too).
I've never actually tried this, but i've heard it more than a few times, surprised it didn't show up here. A prybar in the exhaust crossover or water outlets always worked for me.

 

Ed, you mean like this?

 

hahaha, see, i knew it had to be in all that somewhere, lol.

sometimes you can tell when you've been here for a while, lol

 

got them both off!!, thanks! I had all the preliminary bolts all off already....but those things don't want to come off!! I finally got the drivers side off with a good blow with the mallet,my friend suggested to drive a razor blade inbetwwen the gasket and then get a screwdriver in there,that's how I got the other off.....real easy.

 

Junkyard, I am glad you got them off. I am now here to replace you. I have everything off, and mine arent budging either. So I am taking my break, reading all of the great suggestions, and taking a whack at it tomorrow. (pun intended). I even tried the compression stroke. They moved a little, but they are on there real good.