Changing head gasket

Post by **davidpidge** » Thu May 28, 2009 7:08 pm

My head gaskets blown, i'm in the process of changing it but need to know if I can get the head off without removing anything inside the head. I've got everything disconnected but the head won't move.

Post by **PSL184** » Thu May 28, 2009 7:14 pm

Assuming you have removed rocker shaft and all pushrods you will need to use a soft faced mallet to bash the head to free it from the block. Go gently and work your way around the head. As a last resort, crowbar it off but this will damage the mating surfaces

Post by **davidpidge** » Thu May 28, 2009 7:21 pm

I've taken off everything connected to the head but what do i need to remove from the head? Do I need to remove the valve springs etc?

Post by **PSL184** » Thu May 28, 2009 7:22 pm

No, as I said above - just the rocker shaft and push rods....

Post by **jaekl** » Thu May 28, 2009 7:27 pm

I suspect you didn't take off the rocker cover and remove the 9/16 nuts on the rocker pedestals. Hurry before you warp your head.

Post by **PSL184** » Thu May 28, 2009 7:31 pm

Yep, thats what we call the rocker shaft

Post by **davidpidge** » Thu May 28, 2009 7:42 pm

Thanks for the help mate but I think i'm in over my head now! It's going to the pros. Cheers!

Post by **Mogwai** » Thu May 28, 2009 9:03 pm

once the rocker cover is removed you will just need to undo the 8 nuts on the rokershaft pedestals when these are removed the rockershaft can be lifted off then the pushrods removed (good practice to poke them through a piece of card to keep them in order)
once all that's off not forgetting the bypass hose on the waterpump & I assume the other head nuts as your earlier post, the head should just lift off

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu May 28, 2009 10:07 pm

Be sure to take the small rocker shaft nuts off first - then the larger ones ! If done the other way - stripped threads are possible !!
I've pm'd you the download for the workshop manual. I think you may need it!!

Post by **mike.perry** » Thu May 28, 2009 10:11 pm

In case you are not familiar with it the bypass hose is that fiddly bit of hose just under the front of the cylinder head. It is usually best to change it whilst the head is off so you might as well cut through the middle of it with a junior hacksaw.
Lay eveything out tidily as you take it off so you know what to order to replace the parts in

Post by **AJT** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 4:35 pm

I found a haynes manual guided me through this really well

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 5:55 pm

Lead to the real manual sent by pm.

Post by **Johnny** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 4:35 am

I recently changed my head gasket and it was a right cow! The front left hand stud had seized in the stud hole solid it was a fight every millimeter of the way.
Unbelievable. Kinda wish I hadn't started but once it was all back together she ran fine. Until the oil leak, which is now an ongoing headache haha!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:53 am

Where is the oil leaking from ?
Edit - Ahh - I see it in another thread!

Post by **aupickup** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 10:14 am

leave the spark plugs in and turn the engine with the starting handle, sometimes this will lift the head sufficient to take it off

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 12:09 pm

Most unusual for studs to stick on the A series head - maybe the stud was bent ? There is bags of clearance twixt stud and hole !

Post by **8009STEVE** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 2:02 pm

Corrosion?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:39 pm

Must have been - but v unusual - unless the stud was loose in the block and water could run up the stem ??
Usually - dribble some release oil down the stud - two nuts on the stud and turn it back and forth a couple of times - and it will screw out.