any tricks for removing heads on a 37 flat head?

[bobs77vet]

the heads are stuck on pretty well.....tried some good whacking on a chisel in the corners of the heads between the head and the block with a 3lb hammer and nothing is happening. i am a little reluctant to beat on the chisels any more......some studs are left in the head and we have these soaking with pb blaster in case they have decided to mate with the head.....only trick i can think of is to put the plugs back in and crank the engine (no fuel or spark) to see if the compression stoke will loosen anything.

any tricks?

thks bob

 

[Garys 68]

Air hammer, not to apply a lot of pressure, but just the repeated vibration breaks rust/corrosion loose.

 

[mrvette]

I like the idea of putting the plugs in and letting the starter do the work...

:beer:

 

[js292]

If you can get the studs out it will be easier, I used a pry bar in the thermostat port and got mine off.

One of these may also help;

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/HEAD-STUD-REMOVAL-TOOL,2617.html

 

[bobs77vet]

the home made version usi9ng dorman spark plug non foulers drilled out for grade 5 bolts







and a friend that came to watch

 

[lars]

Bob -
Is that in your '37 Vette..?

Lars

 

[mrvette]

Bob -
Is that in your '37 Vette..?

Lars

HEMI powered.....

:beer:

 

[JeffP1167]

Fill the cylinders with gun powder and ignite. I guarantee the head will come off then!

 

[bobs77vet]

Lars yes the 37 ford has the original flat head in it and depending on what we find we will rebuild it or use a 49 flat head we have tucked away in the back of the garage.

I am happy to report both heads are off...what a PITA it took every trick i knew to pull these off.....and i still did it poorly.....the drivers side bank ...took it to a whole new level.....we took out every stud we could and it still worked us to death....well i can see why it burns oil.....we can see the rings clearly visible on the sides of the pistons. we are taking out the remaining studs why the engine is bolted into the car we figure that has to be easier then trying to get them out on an engine stand. with this crappy snow storm we may actually get it pulled this weekend

 

[JeffP1167]

If your looking for original flathead bold I came across a bolt supplie called rainbow bolts and bought some wierd length tpi allen head bolts for slp runners once and remember a guy buying flathead bolts for his project.