texas275 Posted January 17, 2012 Report Posted January 17, 2012 This is my first flathead tear down/rebuild. It is in a 53 Dodge B4B. It is a 218 and it is locked up tighter than Ebenezer Scrooge's coin purse. I pulled the plugs and filled the holes with diesel. I have started pulling the head off and have the bolts out, (5 of them broke off, but I'll work on that later), but it is still firmly attached to the block. Everything is rusted together beause it was sitting in a pasture for about 30 years. Before I start swinging a big hammer, I wanted to know if I was I missing something else that needs to come off, removed, or loosened to get the head off? I have looked around but I havent found anything that goes step by step as to the removal of the head. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Tom Quote
JBNeal Posted January 17, 2012 Report Posted January 17, 2012 The water passages between the block & head will probably have corrosion build-up, and the head will not budge until that build-up is broken. After removing all of the head bolts, take a dead-blow hammer and clobber the four corners to get a little torque action on the head. Preferably lift the head straight up, using the thermostat water neck and the oil filter bracket as handles. This is quite a chore to lift over with the engine in the truck. Quote
54Illinois Posted January 19, 2012 Report Posted January 19, 2012 Most of whatever you pour in the spark plug holes will end up in the manifold. Sounds like you will need a complete rebuild. I would pull the motor, and have a machine shop (or yourself) drill out the broken head bolts. My 54 Savoy parts car motor endured 40 years of animals crapping and peeing on the head. Some bolts can be corroded, but most will become trash anyway. Quote
texas275 Posted January 19, 2012 Author Report Posted January 19, 2012 Thats what I'm gonna do. It,s gott a come out anyway, so I will probaby pull it this weekend. Quote
Rusty O'Toole Posted January 20, 2012 Report Posted January 20, 2012 You can tap on the head as 49 Dodge said. Do not try to knock it loose with one John Henry smash, tap tap tap to vibrate or rattle it loose. You can also try driving a chisel between the head and block but go easy, you do not want to damage the mating surface just wedge them apart. Once the head comes loose you will have to work it straight up until it is past the broken off bolts. This can be done by prying and wedging back and forth from one end to the other. Quote
Young Ed Posted January 20, 2012 Report Posted January 20, 2012 A paint scrapper works better than a chisel its thinner Quote
texas275 Posted January 24, 2012 Author Report Posted January 24, 2012 So I'm not going to try and pull the head off anymore. I picked up another engine tonight. 51 Plymouth, that came out of a businuss coupe. It was running when it was pulled and has been sitting in a garage for a few months. The only thing that is missing is the distributer and generator. I was super happy. He also gave me the three speed tranny, fly wheel, clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing, and drive shaft. I also got the seat, and steering coloum/wheel. Did I say I was super happy? He said he may still have the radiator and master cylinder. He's gonna let me know. I got it all for a under 150.00. I know I wont use it all but I got it if I need it.. Quote
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