Head Removal Issues

[iiNFAMOUSCHRiS]

so, i'm in the process of removing the head, i've got the timing belt off, exhaust manifold off, head bolts removed and intake is unbolted......but this thing will NOT budge an inch. also, what's the best method to remove bolts that attach the intake to the block? but i heard some people say you can just unbolt the intake from the head and lift the it out with the intake still on the car?

 

[dsmvii]

I personally would just take out the intake so you have more room to work with on taking out the head..as far as taking the bolts off just use a ratchet or if thats not fitting then use a proper size wrench (i think they are 12mm right?) if the bolts are hard to turn sometimes i like to put a wrench on a wrench to have better leverage. i can post a pic of how to do that if youd like

 

[iiNFAMOUSCHRiS]

well, the issue is where those bolts are at that attach the intake to the block. but I would assume the head should have some movement even with the intake still there, right?

 

[Bud92gsx]

If you leave the intake on it gives you a little something extra to yank on..LMFAO

Pull straight up,Then unbolt the intake from head blah blah etc.

 

[iiNFAMOUSCHRiS]

yeah, I tried pulling straight up and it doesn't budge at all, which is why I came to you guys for assistance. Followed the Haynes manual up to this point, minus removing the intake -- I just unbolted it. took off the TB though, since i've got an entire set of new upper/lower gaskets coming.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Youuu do know that theres a bracket that goes from the intake to the block right?

Its got your vacume lines attached to it as well.

 

[iiNFAMOUSCHRiS]

Youuu do know that theres a bracket that goes from the intake to the block right?

Its got your vacume lines attached to it as well.

yes sir, that's what I mentioned in the OP and my first reply, getting to that bracket is a bi***. but since it's bolted from the intake to the block, wouldn't the head slide up and away from the entire intake assembly?

 

[Bud92gsx]

The first post says nothing about that bracket at all..I was just assuming you missed it.Now unbolting the bottom of the bracket should let it get loose.So am i missing something or do you need to stand on the radiator support and pull and wiggle some more?

 

[iiNFAMOUSCHRiS]

so, i'm in the process of removing the head, i've got the timing belt off, exhaust manifold off, head bolts removed and intake is unbolted......but this thing will NOT budge an inch. also, what's the best method to remove bolts that attach the intake to the block? but i heard some people say you can just unbolt the intake from the head and lift the it out with the intake still on the car?

bolded part, sir. and i'll get those bolts off one way or another and see if it comes out then.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Bolts to block not bolts on vacume line bracket you know what it doesnt matter.


A wrench is the best way to remove those..A wrench and all the wire loom pulled back, get your hand in there.Even if you have to do it quarter turn by quarter turn.

Then when done, leave that damm bracket offfffff.

Quarter turn by quarter turn..Damm i remember those.

 

[Tyeler18]

A 12mm and 14mm gear wrench are your best friend if you have to remove the intake manifold. A ratchet will get the manifold stay (bracket). It should just pull straight up then. I'd highly recommend leaving the intake on the head when you remove it. It takes way less time and frustration to remove the intake after the heads removed then in the bay.

 

[Aproductions]

Those brackets suck. Also sometimes the dowel pins on the head to block like to stick which makes removing the head a PITA sometimes. Did you try to bang the head in different angles with a rubber mallet?

 

[crash89]

There are two studs from the head that go through the intake flange, you cant just unbolt the intake and remove the head. You either have to remove the intake completely or just remove that bracket and use the intake as leverage. Are you sure all head bolts are out? It shouldnt be that snug if everything is removed. A little resistance at first from the gasket but not that bad.

Maybe a rubber mallet to the front and back would help free it up from the gasket.

 

[iiNFAMOUSCHRiS]

few whacks, and the exhaust side moves a little... I forgot about the studs that went throughthe iintake flange, explains why it won't come off. I'll just toss in a couple bolts on the intake, then remove the bracket and take the whole intake out with the head. and yeah, all 10 head bolts are out, that was the first thing I double checked haha. also, my exhaust manifold gasket was covered in oil, is that a sign of aanything?

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[fierosail]

few whacks, and the exhaust side moves a little... I forgot about the studs that went throughthe iintake flange, explains why it won't come off. I'll just toss in a couple bolts on the intake, then remove the bracket and take the whole intake out with the head. and yeah, all 10 head bolts are out, that was the first thing I double checked haha. also, my exhaust manifold gasket was covered in oil, is that a sign of aanything?

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the oil there is from the middle exhaust manifold stud on the bot it goes into a oil galley and love to leak

 

[iiNFAMOUSCHRiS]

yeah, I was reading up on the leak after I posted and that's what I read, the head is getting new exhauststuds in tthe rebuild so that'll fix that right?

 

[fierosail]

yeah, I was reading up on the leak after I posted and that's what I read, the head is getting new exhauststuds in tthe rebuild so that'll fix that right?

the valves yes dont know about the leak but it a ez fix. just a little rtv on the stud and bingo

 

[c2ypt1c]

If everything is unbolted the head lifts right off no problem. It sounds like you still have some bolts attached. Removing the head with the intake manifold is straight forward with no "hidden bolts" other than the support bracket underneath it. It's not even remotely difficult to do, just get at it from the bottom with a long extension and remove the bolts going into the intake manifold and leave the bracket bolted to the block.

 

[StarionGSX]

I've taken apart an engine where someone used that copper coat spray adhesive on both sides of the head gasket. It pretty much glued the head to the block. I used a floor jack and a 2x4 to push the head up off the block using the exhaust mani as the push point. That broke it loose easily.

IF you are sure all the bolts are out you could try that method.

 

[iiNFAMOUSCHRiS]

yeah, the intake is what's holding the head onto the car, I forgot it had studs through the intake flange. rookie mistake.

I've taken apart an engine where someone used that copper coat spray adhesive on both sides of the head gasket. It pretty much glued the head to the block. I used a floor jack and a 2x4 to push the head up off the block using the exhaust mani as the push point. That broke it loose easily.

IF you are sure all the bolts are out you could try that method.

that's what I thought at first, but the car hasn't been taken apart to this extent before(to my knowledge, at least....) so I ruled that out and figured i'd post here, not realizing the intake has studs too thanks crash89, and thank you to everyone else who took the time to post

 

[Tyeler18]

Is the oil on the gasket only, or are the exhaust ports oily as well? If the ports are oily as well more than likely your valve seals are toast.

 

[iiNFAMOUSCHRiS]

oil is only on the gasket, it's dry in the ports. darker than wesley snipes, but dry.

 

[Tyeler18]

Is the head above the gasket wet? Leaky valve cover gasket would be the next and pretty much only guess that would soak the gasket in oil.

 

[iiNFAMOUSCHRiS]

car is torn apart right now, replacing all the top end gaskets I was just curious for the re-assembly process. the head is getting rebuilt so that should solve any issues, but i'll RTV the studs anyways, just to be sure.