The Ford Barn

jaguar6165 · 01-31-2016, 09:08 PM

I know stuck heads have been covered a bit, but my question is about making a puller. I have my plate drilled and now need to hollow out the spark plugs. After a few broken drill bits and a large hammer not get the job do how do you knock the porcelain out of the center?

Tom Wesenberg · 01-31-2016, 09:11 PM

Wear goggles and use a hammer and punch. I hit it from the bottom towards the top as I recall.

jaguar6165 · 01-31-2016, 09:20 PM

That worked? I started flattening the punch after a while so I stopped. I guess I'll try to get back to it and hope it gives eventually.

tbirdtbird · 01-31-2016, 09:24 PM

you must smash it out.
the metal body of the plug is crimped onto the porcelain in such a way that the porcelain is trapped inside the metal. You must take a air-powered cutoff wheel, or second choice a die grinder, and grind away at the 1/16" crimp you see on the outside of the plug right where the porcelain meets the metal. It is this crimp that locks the porcelain in. Once the crimp is ground off the porcelain will punch out easily. I just did this this week to make a piston stop tool to dial in my dizzy timing

Clem Clement · 01-31-2016, 09:25 PM

Rainmaker used to make very nice ones

jaguar6165 · 01-31-2016, 10:07 PM

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I'll definitely try that tomorrow. I was a bit confused as to how this was an easy task.

Jacksonlll · 02-01-2016, 01:26 PM

I hope you tried rope in the cylinders earlier. That method can work.

jaguar6165 · 02-01-2016, 01:50 PM

Rope in the cylinders? Not familiar with that trick.

1Tudoor · 02-01-2016, 01:54 PM

I saw mentioned in these forums of this ----

Back off the head bolts slightly (I think the amount was .o6 or thereabouts) , & prepare to start the motor w/ your hand on the key & begin to crank w/o ignition , then quickly turn the key on, then off , allowing minimal combustion.
Supposedly this will pop the head loose .
It sounded very simple, safe, & worth trying to me , but of course as w/ many other DIY's , not idiot proof .

tbirdtbird · 02-01-2016, 02:11 PM

There is no reason to turn the key off with the above scenario. As soon as the head pops free the engine will automatically die due to lack of compression. There is nothing to go wrong here. Done it many times.

As far as the rope 'trick' be sure to have a fresh set of rods on hand to replace the ones you bent using this procedure

Y-Blockhead · 02-01-2016, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbirdtbird

I just did this this week to make a piston stop tool to dial in my dizzy timing.

Tbird, I'm interested in your piston stop. A piston stop is a handy tool to have. Can you explain how yours works? The plug hole isn't over the piston is it? Or does it only work on an aftermarket head where the plug is in a different position?
Thanks

tbirdtbird · 02-01-2016, 07:34 PM

PM sent

glenn in camino · 02-01-2016, 08:12 PM

I use a bottle jack from the generator boss to the underside of the front of the head to loosen it. Then a screw driver and a few hardwood sticks to lift it up to get my fingers under it and lift it off.

jaguar6165 · 02-02-2016, 12:36 AM

Looks like I have a head that is going to put up a small fight. Got the puller on and started to lift, after about a quarter inch the driver side didn't want to move much more. Looks like the front driver side corner is stuck. I tried the small plastic wedge I have but it was more of a shim and just broke. Hopefully I didn't raise it up too unevenly to bend any studs. I have new one, but just don't want to make getting the head off any more difficult. Going to try to knock it back down and pull it up again. Hopefully wiggling it back and forth will break it free.

Tom Wesenberg · 02-02-2016, 01:06 AM

Kroil on the studs is a big help to make the head slide up the studs.

Mike V. Florida · 02-02-2016, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaguar6165

I know stuck heads have been covered a bit, but my question is about making a puller. I have my plate drilled and now need to hollow out the spark plugs. After a few broken drill bits and a large hammer not get the job do how do you knock the porcelain out of the center?

I would just start with these from the vendors,

You don't need the eye for your use but the body inside is threaded for the eye bolt.

inex01 · 02-02-2016, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaguar6165

I know stuck heads have been covered a bit, but my question is about making a puller. I have my plate drilled and now need to hollow out the spark plugs. After a few broken drill bits and a large hammer not get the job do how do you knock the porcelain out of the center?

Gord Baverstock at [email protected] has a head puller that he sells for $135.00 delivered his phone number is 1-519-376-5987. I am buying one and for the price is well worth to me anyway. If anyone else is thinking about building one call him or email before you get to involved.

Jacksonlll · 02-02-2016, 07:22 AM

If you have it broken loose, you are THERE!!! Make some small sticks you can slip under it as you raise it, or get a lot of band aids for your fingers. It will bite you. 42 screw drivers placed around it will ease it up evenly. Take your time, you have the hard part behind you.

tbirdtbird · 02-02-2016, 10:04 AM

no one has mentioned not to pry on the side with the valves ie passenger side if you are not from Oz, else you can bend a valve. several threads on here already of ppl doing just that

jaguar6165 · 02-02-2016, 11:34 AM

Luckily my problem isn't the valve side so I will be staying clear of them. Going to swing by the hardware store and pick up some better plastic wedges. I read in another thread that someone used the plastic type for felling trees. I'm just nervouse to use metal screw drivers or pry bars. This is my first attempt so I don't know how much abuse the head and block can actually take.

01-31-2016, 09:08 PM	#1
jaguar6165 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Casselberry, FL Posts: 188	Making a head puller. I know stuck heads have been covered a bit, but my question is about making a puller. I have my plate drilled and now need to hollow out the spark plugs. After a few broken drill bits and a large hammer not get the job do how do you knock the porcelain out of the center?

01-31-2016, 09:11 PM	#2
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Making a head puller. Wear goggles and use a hammer and punch. I hit it from the bottom towards the top as I recall.

01-31-2016, 09:20 PM	#3
jaguar6165 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Casselberry, FL Posts: 188	Re: Making a head puller. That worked? I started flattening the punch after a while so I stopped. I guess I'll try to get back to it and hope it gives eventually.

01-31-2016, 09:24 PM	#4
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Making a head puller. you must smash it out. the metal body of the plug is crimped onto the porcelain in such a way that the porcelain is trapped inside the metal. You must take a air-powered cutoff wheel, or second choice a die grinder, and grind away at the 1/16" crimp you see on the outside of the plug right where the porcelain meets the metal. It is this crimp that locks the porcelain in. Once the crimp is ground off the porcelain will punch out easily. I just did this this week to make a piston stop tool to dial in my dizzy timing __________________ '31 180A

01-31-2016, 09:25 PM	#5
Clem Clement Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 3,393	Re: Making a head puller. Rainmaker used to make very nice ones

01-31-2016, 10:07 PM	#6
jaguar6165 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Casselberry, FL Posts: 188	Re: Making a head puller. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I'll definitely try that tomorrow. I was a bit confused as to how this was an easy task.

02-01-2016, 01:26 PM	#7
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Making a head puller. I hope you tried rope in the cylinders earlier. That method can work.

02-01-2016, 01:50 PM	#8
jaguar6165 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Casselberry, FL Posts: 188	Re: Making a head puller. Rope in the cylinders? Not familiar with that trick.

02-01-2016, 01:54 PM	#9
1Tudoor Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Upstate in NY's beautifull hills Posts: 173	Re: Instead of making a head puller. I saw mentioned in these forums of this ---- Back off the head bolts slightly (I think the amount was .o6 or thereabouts) , & prepare to start the motor w/ your hand on the key & begin to crank w/o ignition , then quickly turn the key on, then off , allowing minimal combustion. Supposedly this will pop the head loose . It sounded very simple, safe, & worth trying to me , but of course as w/ many other DIY's , not idiot proof .

02-01-2016, 02:11 PM	#10
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Making a head puller. There is no reason to turn the key off with the above scenario. As soon as the head pops free the engine will automatically die due to lack of compression. There is nothing to go wrong here. Done it many times. As far as the rope 'trick' be sure to have a fresh set of rods on hand to replace the ones you bent using this procedure __________________ '31 180A

02-01-2016, 07:34 PM	#12
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Making a head puller. PM sent __________________ '31 180A

02-01-2016, 08:12 PM	#13
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: Making a head puller. I use a bottle jack from the generator boss to the underside of the front of the head to loosen it. Then a screw driver and a few hardwood sticks to lift it up to get my fingers under it and lift it off.

02-02-2016, 12:36 AM	#14
jaguar6165 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Casselberry, FL Posts: 188	Re: Making a head puller. Looks like I have a head that is going to put up a small fight. Got the puller on and started to lift, after about a quarter inch the driver side didn't want to move much more. Looks like the front driver side corner is stuck. I tried the small plastic wedge I have but it was more of a shim and just broke. Hopefully I didn't raise it up too unevenly to bend any studs. I have new one, but just don't want to make getting the head off any more difficult. Going to try to knock it back down and pull it up again. Hopefully wiggling it back and forth will break it free.

02-02-2016, 01:06 AM	#15
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Making a head puller. Kroil on the studs is a big help to make the head slide up the studs.

02-02-2016, 07:22 AM	#18
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Making a head puller. If you have it broken loose, you are THERE!!! Make some small sticks you can slip under it as you raise it, or get a lot of band aids for your fingers. It will bite you. 42 screw drivers placed around it will ease it up evenly. Take your time, you have the hard part behind you.

02-02-2016, 10:04 AM	#19
tbirdtbird BANNED Join Date: May 2012 Location: inside your RAM Posts: 3,134	Re: Making a head puller. no one has mentioned not to pry on the side with the valves ie passenger side if you are not from Oz, else you can bend a valve. several threads on here already of ppl doing just that __________________ '31 180A

02-02-2016, 11:34 AM	#20
jaguar6165 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Casselberry, FL Posts: 188	Re: Making a head puller. Luckily my problem isn't the valve side so I will be staying clear of them. Going to swing by the hardware store and pick up some better plastic wedges. I read in another thread that someone used the plastic type for felling trees. I'm just nervouse to use metal screw drivers or pry bars. This is my first attempt so I don't know how much abuse the head and block can actually take.