Aluminum Head Removal

[1962300]

What are some helpful hints in removing Aluminum Heads from a 59A Block? Heads have not been on too long, yet are stuck from the anti-seize on the threads.

Do I tap with a rubber hammer?
If gentle prying is required; what tool is recommended at what location?

Thanks!

[cmbrucew]

A very thin hole saw was made for that purpose. If you resort to prying and wedges use plastic tools, so as not to harm the heads or the block.
Bruce

[JSeery]

You can use the pressure of the engine turning over or air pressure to pop them loose. I would install most of the head nuts and loosen them enough to allow the head to move up just an 1/8 inch or so. Then remove the nuts and then the head.

[Jack E/NJ]

Run it.

Jack E/NJ

[trainguy]

Loosen the head nuts about 3 turns and start the engine,remember to drain the coolant.Worked for me with heads that had been on for 10,000 miles. Phil

[Ralph Moore]

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"Yet are stuck from the antisieze on the threads"
???????

[flatford8]

Originally Posted by Ralph Moore

"Yet are stuck from the antisieze on the threads"
???????

????? Ya.....Me too...?????

[Ol' Ron]

Small quantities of C4 pushed through the spark plug holes. Remove hood and start engine. Get several friends on each side of the engine to catch the heads. works every time.

[Tony, NY]

Just removed a stuck pair over the weekend. Left 2 nuts on each head with a gap and turned it over and heard the heads pop. Took like 5 seconds. These weren't on very long also. Now I got the job of removing all the gasket material without scratching up the heads.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

Small quantities of C4 pushed through the spark plug holes. Remove hood and start engine. Get several friends on each side of the engine to catch the heads. works every time.

Yep, that will remove about anything, quick also

[Ralph Moore]

Good one Ron, there aren't many problems in life that can't be cured with the right amount of explosives!

[colin1928]

I have 2 methods if still in the car loosen nuts a turn over with the starter same as other posts
if out of the car put rope down the spark plug hole and turn over by hand

[trainguy]

I tried Lowes for c4.they were sold out.Any ideas where I can buy some.

[BILL WZOREK]

Originally Posted by Ol' Ron

Small quantities of C4 pushed through the spark plug holes. Remove hood and start engine. Get several friends on each side of the engine to catch the heads. works every time.

O sure Ron now you restarted the old argument what is better ~~

C4 or FERTILIZER & FUEL OIL to get the heads off.

[Ol' Ron]

Removing Aluminum heads can sometimes lead to their destruction. Not an easy job sometimes. Be nice to have that little hole saw for the studs.

[AKCJ]

If you can't find any C4 you could make an adapter to a spark plug hole to pump grease in from a grease gun. Lot's of even pressure on the back side of the head this way.
Rotate so piston is near the top and valves closed before you start pumping. This does not work if the head gasket is blown out.

[Andy]

I had hell getting my heads off after using Copper Cote on Graphite gaskets. The heat made to paint desolve and resolidify. I had to use wedges and prybars. I was using bolts so no studs. It took forever to clean up the mess on the heads and block. The gaskets had been split in half. I hope you did not use this combo!
I would get a hole saw that will just go over the stud and grind the OD as much as I dared. Just get one for wood as a carbide saw is not needed for aluminum.
If it is a new build, can you double nut the studs and remove them? Maybe a jam nut and a stock nut?

[trevo]

What is C4?
Um just got it diesel and fert ha ha

[Lawrie]

I have a Ford service tool,it screws into the spark plug threads,then a bar is dropped over them and connected to one of the head studs ,you just wind them off,
so for its worked a treat.
Lawrie

[Ronnie]

http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?p=960449

R