Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

Thank you for the images and torque suggestions. They are very helpful.

One last ask...how in the heck to I get the head off of the engine. I have the radiator neck off, all of the top nuts off and the disti removed.I have banged on it with a dead blow hammer but I do not get even a hint of movement...

Thanks,
Gar

Is there a flange you can pry on a bit?

Worst case you can tap between the head and block with a chisel but I would NOT do this until you wait for more opinions to spill in...

No flanges that we could see. The owners manual indicates a head lifter tool, maybe?

With all the fasteners removed but the spark plugs still in, you might just crank the starter motor a few times. On rare occasions the compression pressure is enough to free it up. But it's a LONG SHOT. More likely you'll have to start working your way around the perimeter of the head inserting something like a THIN putty or spackle knife preferably between the outer layers of the headgasket, tapping it in gently to produce a little upward force, and then moving stepwise around the perimeter of the head. Be careful, and patient!!, you don't want to cause any damage to either the head or the block surfaces. Once the head breaks free, you can use several wood wedges to gradually raise it up high enough to get a firm grip on it and remove it. You may want to have a helper handy to assist with the lifting.

Owen:

Do you think using my air compressor in one of the plug ports (at 120PSI), while the others are still in the head, would do any damage?

I have about 80% on both sides of the gasket removed (about 3/16") but need another 3/16" before i get to the studs. Nothing removed from the very back nor front of the head.

Thanks,
Gar

For what it is worth.....
Years ago I broke loose the head on my 326 engine with this trick my father taught me 70 years ago....
Cylinders come up in pairs.
Pick a pair.
Stuff some rope down the plug holes...equal amounts, of course...
Crank the engine and the cyl head will break loose.

Gar, the advantage of cranking with the starter motor with all the plugs installed is that, unlike your suggestion, the forces are being applied equally along the full length of the cylinder head.

I tried the turn the motor over option... no joy.

I have been using a 4" wide putty (drywall) mud knife to get some of the gasket out. About 12 hours into this effort and have about 1/2 the copper gasket removed. I am using a small vibrator blade and use the back end of the blade to pull the gasket matl out.

After all else had failed, I removed a head on my 1929 633 by driving 2-3 small hardwood wedges in from opposite sides. The wedges need to have only a very slight taper. Removing the head can be extremely difficult.

Your head is not stuck on the gasket. It is stuck on the studs. The hardwood wedges mentioned will help to force it up. Another helpful trick is to place a head nut loosely on each stud to protect the threads and tap the studs sideways with a hammer to break up debris and rust around the stud. Lots of penetrating oil is your friend.