|
Title: S3 head removal question Post by: DaveKennedy on 04 February, 2024, 11:24:17 AM Hello all
I've started to remove the cylinder head on my 1962 car to find out why coolant is leaking into No 1 cylinder. I'm hoping it's a gasket problem rather than a head problem but I'll soon find out. The workshop manual says remove the water pipe that runs between the head and the inlet manifold, but I can't see why. It won't stop the head coming off and I'd rather leave it on. Does anyone know a reason for removing that pipe before taking off the head? Dave Title: Re: S3 head removal question Post by: nistri on 04 February, 2024, 12:56:21 PM It is a good idea to remove it and clean it inside as it is often clogged with debris.
Title: Re: S3 head removal question Post by: DaveKennedy on 04 February, 2024, 02:51:47 PM OK, thanks Andrea. I'll do that when I have the head off then.
Title: Re: S3 head removal question Post by: lancianut666 on 04 February, 2024, 11:51:06 PM I would take the pipe off if possible sometimes it will somehow jam.
Clarkey Title: Re: S3 head removal question Post by: lancianut666 on 05 February, 2024, 05:39:37 PM Don't forget the nut at the back of the head...and watch that the dowels and oilway engages before you tighten the head down.
Clarkey Title: Re: S3 head removal question Post by: DaveKennedy on 10 February, 2024, 03:53:50 PM Slow progress on this. I've only been able to raise the cylinder head by a mm or so at the front. It won't shift at the back.
(The rear nut wasn't removed at first but is now!) I have two ratchet straps attached to the head pulling it upwards and have applied lots of penetrating oil to the studs. Turning the engine over on the starter helped earlier in the process but doesn't do anything now. I'm sure the head is stuck on the studs but they are so short I don't think it's practical to try to unscrew them. Hopefully with time there will be movement. Any ideas on speeding up the process would be welcome. Dave Title: Re: S3 head removal question Post by: lancianut666 on 11 February, 2024, 11:52:19 AM Tighten it down and loosen it off and use gentle tapping where possible with a big rubber mallet, if this fails get an engine crane and suspend the engine from the cylinder head and continue the tapping, if this fails I made a plate that you can fasten to the head and using 8mm bolts screw the head off. There is a section in my posts on S1 resto. If the head gets out of alignment even with no gunk and corrosion down the stud holes it will jam and you will need to level it up before you try to move it.
Clarkey Title: Re: S3 head removal question Post by: DaveKennedy on 11 February, 2024, 01:35:00 PM Thanks Jim
Fortunately the head freed this morning and is now about 40mm above the block so I'll lift it off tomorrow. Title: Re: S3 head removal question Post by: lancianut666 on 12 February, 2024, 08:10:00 AM Nice one...any particular technique employed or just lots of swearing?
Title: Re: S3 head removal question Post by: DaveKennedy on 12 February, 2024, 12:30:18 PM I'm sure the swearing helped but the key thing was removing the nut at the back!
After that two 8 hour days of upward force from two ratchet straps did the job. Not having a hoist I suspended a length of timber from the garage joists so that it was horizontal and directly over the engine. Then using a ratchet strap from each manifold to the beam I could apply an even upward force. A previous owner used a lot of red silicone on the gasket so it's all a bit messy but I can see how coolant got into No 1 cylinder. Corrosion has spread from the water chamber as far as the sealing ring around the edge of the cylinder. I'm taking advice on whether it can be repaired. Photo attached. Title: Re: S3 head removal question Post by: lancianut666 on 12 February, 2024, 06:50:19 PM Cylinder heads are available from your usual stockists.
|