Removing Heads (86 AL)

[C4ME]

Well I have the motor disassemble down to the headbolts removed and I can not get the heads off the block. Am I missing something? The heads have no more bolts, no more exhaust man., no more brackets attached. HELP?

Joe

 

[Jeb]

Well I have the motor disassemble down to the headbolts removed and I can not get the heads off the block. Am I missing something? The heads have no more bolts, no more exhaust man., no more brackets attached. HELP?

Joe

They stick. You may have to use a prybar or large screwdriver to pop them off. Once they break free, they come off easily.

 

[Edmond]

Joe,

May I ask what you're going to do with the motor now? 383? Port and polish the heads?

 

[Hrtbeat1]

They stick. You may have to use a prybar or large screwdriver to pop them off. Once they break free, they come off easily.

You might try a large rubber mallet. Not much room to swing but should work. Just have to break the semi-permanent seal of the head gasket. Years of being torqued down and all the heat cycles will do it.

 

[thirdtimevetteowner]

Just make sure you didn't miss a bolt. You should have 17 of them out. (Not trying to insult your intelligence, but I miss one once, and was frustrated to no end.) When I KNEW that it should come off, but still wouldn't, after looking further, found one bolt still there. Duh...lol Hope this helps, anyone reading really.

Rich

 

[C4ME]

Thanks for the advice. Rich, I am not insulted in the least as I can see myself doing that. Turns out that the Haynes manual (and I do have access to an online survice that is an electronic version of the shop manual) suggested that one use a piece of cardboard to trace/punch the holes of the new gasket on the card board. When the bolts come out, they go in their own hole. I had all 17 in each card board. I can not figure it out and the heads being aluminum, I am afraid to get too physical. I have used a rubber mallet and given each a good whack. They will jiggle slightly so I am pretty sure the gaskets are dislodged...I think. I have done very light prying with a wooden pry bar and am unsuccessful.

My fear is that perhaps the motor was overheated and the heads are stuck on the alignment dowels. This is not a nice thought, but I can not figure why they won't lift off.

Any other suggestions short of a torch are welcome!

Incidentally, someone asked if I was doing any mods and the short answer is no, as the budget has no room and this is a cash as you go sorta deal. Now, I will say when I mentioned the notion of folks suggesting a little porting, the comptroller (AKA CINC House) seemed to be interested in what all this porting talk was about! I have to investingate the cost involved with some mild porting as I have to take the right head to a machine shop having a crossthreaded plug in number 8 (not my doing, previous owner).

Joe

 

[redc4corvette]

Just use 2 woden dowels.
one in the exaust and one in the intake port.

 

[rrubel]

When I took off my (iron) heads, I put my fingers in the exhaust ports and PULLED as hard as I could. They were just stuck on the dowels. They'd rock a little, but wouldn't move straight off.

And think of it this way - if you DO break them, then you HAVE to buy those nice PnP ones
[RICHR]

 

[bill5674]

well, it might not be by the book,but I have run into a few that the owner load with sealer. hook up the battery and crank the starter in short bursts.would be wise to pull the fuel pump fuse.

 

[C4ME]

Just use 2 woden dowels.
one in the exaust and one in the intake port.

This might be a stupid question, but are you suggesting to use the dowels as "pry bars?"

Joe

 

[C4ME]

When I took off my (iron) heads, I put my fingers in the exhaust ports and PULLED as hard as I could. They were just stuck on the dowels. They'd rock a little, but wouldn't move straight off.

And think of it this way - if you DO break them, then you HAVE to buy those nice PnP ones
[RICHR]

Rich, while I agree with your perspective, I am not sure the project Comptroller will see it that way!

I have yet to get back out in the garage, busy weekend with T-ball and church. May be this week!

Joe

 

[Edmond]

Rich, while I agree with your perspective, I am not sure the project Comptroller will see it that way!

I have yet to get back out in the garage, busy weekend with T-ball and church. May be this week!

Joe

Joe,

I'm sure if you let Rich coach you through the process, you'll be okay. It's seeemd to work for him, Rich is still alive and well.:L

 

[C4ME]

Joe,

I'm sure if you let Rich coach you through the process, you'll be okay. It's seeemd to work for him, Rich is still alive and well.:L

I did call and do a little research on porting and one of the local speed shops will do PnP for $250 and head. Sound reasonable? Incidentally, still have not even tried to get them off recently.

 

[Edmond]

I did call and do a little research on porting and one of the local speed shops will do PnP for $250 and head. Sound reasonable? Incidentally, still have not even tried to get them off recently.

What about the valves?

Think about going with some bigger valves while you have the heads off.

 

[C4ME]

What about the valves?

Think about going with some bigger valves while you have the heads off.

Listen man, I am in enough trouble as it is...The garage is full of my car and just the other day the comptroller said she nolong thinks about the car being there and not her car...I am scared man:W

 

[Edmond]

Listen man, I am in enough trouble as it is...The garage is full of my car and just the other day the comptroller said she nolong thinks about the car being there and not her car...I am scared man:W

:L:L:L

$200 for a port and polish sounds too good to be true. How reputable is the shop? You're best asking the locals how good that shop is. Take a look at the shop itself. If you get a bad vibe, don't spend your money there.

I don't have a comptroller so I can't relate.

 

[C4ME]

:L:L:L

$200 for a port and polish sounds too good to be true. How reputable is the shop? You're best asking the locals how good that shop is. Take a look at the shop itself. If you get a bad vibe, don't spend your money there.

I don't have a comptroller so I can't relate.

It is actually $250/head, is still a deal? I got the shop name from a drag racer friend at work...he does race Fords...but I trust the guy.

 

[C4ME]

V..V..V is for VICTORY!

Last night I got the boogers off! I had to do a little more prying in the valley and out they came. I was a little timid at first and think with a little more umph, they popped off. Thanks for all the advice! This place is the greatest for the first time shade tree like myself.

Joe

 

[Edmond]

It is actually $250/head, is still a deal? I got the shop name from a drag racer friend at work...he does race Fords...but I trust the guy.

That sounds pretty good.

I would go for it!

 

[C4ME]

That sounds pretty good.

I would go for it!

I am going for a rebuild on the heads and no other work at this time. I was thinking that I wanted to keep the original heads as original as possible. I may buy another set in the future when I can afford some nice AFR heads or some such. Thanks for the chat.

Joe