Heads are Stuck - need help
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
Heads are Stuck - need help
We are taking apart a 1992 Corvette LT1. Aluminum heads and Iron block. I cannot get the heads off easily. We pulled all of the bolts, including the 4 bolts by the exhaust manifold. These heads have been on here for 12 years and 140,000 miles, but they seem to be stuck! Rubber hammer - nothing. Small hammer and a block of wood - nothing. Big hammer and a block of wood - nothing.
Any hints here? Are we missing something? Are there any dowels between the head and the block that I need to be concerned about? I have never seen a head that was stuck on like this. I am considering using compressed air inside the cylinders to push the head up, or maybe and engine lift to a bolt on the front of the head. Thoughts???
Thanks!
Steve
:mad
Any hints here? Are we missing something? Are there any dowels between the head and the block that I need to be concerned about? I have never seen a head that was stuck on like this. I am considering using compressed air inside the cylinders to push the head up, or maybe and engine lift to a bolt on the front of the head. Thoughts???
Thanks!
Steve
:mad
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Heads are Stuck - need help (Stephen L)
I believe there are dowel pins used to guide the heads onto the block so forcing them backward wouldn't be a good idea.
This is an interesting problem as I plan to pull my L98 #113 heads and now wonder if they too will be stuck to the block; and if so how to loosen them.
This is an interesting problem as I plan to pull my L98 #113 heads and now wonder if they too will be stuck to the block; and if so how to loosen them.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Belmont CA
Re: Heads are Stuck - need help (Stephen L)
Stephen,
I'm having the exact same problem. Maybe you could have a friend ask around online; that's what I did. I'll let you know if it produces any helpful advice.
Best of luck!
Matt
P.S. Whatever solution you decide upon, I would be gentle. The car sounds very nice. And deceptively fast.
I'm having the exact same problem. Maybe you could have a friend ask around online; that's what I did. I'll let you know if it produces any helpful advice.
Best of luck!
Matt
P.S. Whatever solution you decide upon, I would be gentle. The car sounds very nice. And deceptively fast.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 34
Re: Heads are Stuck - need help (Stephen L)
I dont have an LT1, but seen the heads pulled off of an LT1 F body.
Did you pull the cross over coolant tubes on the back side of the heads?
They should be held on with banjo bolts.
I usually put a screw driver under the front and rear china walls, and pry the heads up from there.
Did you pull the cross over coolant tubes on the back side of the heads?
They should be held on with banjo bolts.
I usually put a screw driver under the front and rear china walls, and pry the heads up from there.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,397
Likes: 0
From: Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue Orlando
Re: Heads are Stuck - need help (Stephen L)
Put the sparkplugs back in, and turn the engine over, maybe the compression will blow em off. :lol:
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Re: Heads are Stuck - need help (Stephen L)
This may sound stupid, but are you sure you got all the bolts? A friend of mine went to pull the heads off of an LT1 and didn't get all the bolts below the manifold. I'm not sure how he thought he was going to remove the manifolds and heads together..........
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
Re: Heads are Stuck - need help (neverendingproject)
I will look for more bolts. I got all of the bolts under the valve cover, and the 4 bolts near the spark plugs. The header is off so I will double check that there are not any more bolts down there.
Yes, we found the cross over tube.
The hammer handle is a good idea but there is only about 4 inches between the port and the inner fender.
Thanks!
Steve
Yes, we found the cross over tube.
The hammer handle is a good idea but there is only about 4 inches between the port and the inner fender.
Thanks!
Steve
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,818
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From: Alive and well in Burlington NC
Re: Heads are Stuck - need help (neverendingproject)
Try this. As stated above, use the handle of the hammer in an intake port and apply pressure towards the outside of the engine bay (DS or PS depending on which head). Have someone use a dead blow hammer and hit the intake port area. It's worked for me the iron heads on an olds 350, should work on the aluminum heads.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
Likes: 4,008
From: Texas
Re: Heads are Stuck - need help (Steel Blue 91)
Try this. As stated above, use the handle of the hammer in an intake port and apply pressure towards the outside of the engine bay (DS or PS depending on which head).
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 24
From: Charleston SC
Re: Heads are Stuck - need help (96GS#007)
Make sure you have all the bolts out and use the hammer handle sugestion. The heads are on dowl pins and need to come straight up, and they will need to be poped off with a good pull. One more thing keep one hand on the head so it doesn't fall.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
Re: Heads are Stuck - need help (Stephen L)
Time to do a head bolt count, I believe there are 17 per side (someone correct me if I'm wrong). I've missed a few on some engines.
The compressed air in the cylinder should work.
Gordon
www.witchhunter.com
Fuel Injector Cleaning & Flow testing
The compressed air in the cylinder should work.
Gordon
www.witchhunter.com
Fuel Injector Cleaning & Flow testing
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 0
From: Cincinnati Ohio
Re: Heads are Stuck - need help (Stephen L)
First you get a torch...... :lolg: Seriously if you try the ideas above and still cant get them off, you have missed something. Somwhere. Good luck :chevy
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 2,872
Likes: 3
From: Wilmington NC
Re: Heads are Stuck - need help (Switch)
4 bolts by the spark plugs?????? the lower shorter bolts line the base of the cylinder head, better take a bolt count before you crack a head. are the manifolds completely out of the car?
Drifting
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 48
From: Lakeport CA
Re: Heads are Stuck - need help (lcvette)
Where is your service manual, should have a pic & bolt count for you. including the correct torque sequence for putting it back together. Earlier blocks like my L98 have about 8 bolts down the outside edge under the exhaust not 4!! :smash: With all the bolts out the wooden handle in an intake port is how I've ALWAYS been able pull heads. Even on really old nasty truck motors etc.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 110
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From: Chicago IL
Re: Heads are Stuck - need help (Trog)
OK - After further searching I have found two additional bolts! They were covered in engine grime and located directly under the outside exhaust ports. So, there were a total of 6 bolts on the outside edge of the head, not 4 as originally thought.
Thanks for your suggestions!
Thanks for your suggestions!