m20b27 head stuck

[Jahman093]

I have an m20b27 with a head that is stuck to the block. It has 3 broken head bolts and I can lift the entire engine by the head itself.

I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on what i could do to get the head off. Also I would be willing to sell it if it still doesn't want to come off.

[NoSnowJustIce]

Are any of the stud heads exposed, or did they break flush with the head?

[jlevie]

Did the heads break off the of the bolts? If so there may be part of the head of the bolt still attached that is blocking removal. A dremel or a die grinder can remove that.

[Jahman093]

Are any of the stud heads exposed, or did they break flush with the head?

None are exposed, they practically broke in half.

Did the heads break off the of the bolts? If so there may be part of the head of the bolt still attached that is blocking removal. A dremel or a die grinder can remove that.

No, the heads of the bolts didnt break.

The top part of the bolts are about 2-3in down into the head.

[vert_this]

if they are snapped that low nothing should b hold u back from pulling head off, its now nothing more than a threaded rod. It holds the head down by the heads and if they are gone something else is keeping down.

This may sound dumb but is the exhaust completely disconnected?

have you pulled the intake yet?

[Jahman093]

The engine is out of the car and is pretty much bare

[mother_russia]

Buy some of that de-rusting solution and see if that helps. That stuff works on everything. I got some, and I can take a picture to show you what it looks like. Works wonders.

[vert_this]

forgive me another dumb question are you sure all the other head bolts are out?

[Jahman093]

Buy some of that de-rusting solution and see if that helps. That stuff works on everything. I got some, and I can take a picture to show you what it looks like. Works wonders.

do you think by spraying it in the holes that it might free them up?

forgive me another dumb question are you sure all the other head bolts are out?

yes, all of the other head bolts are out.

to give you an idea of how stuck it is, i can lift the entire engine by the intake and exhaust studs only

[Cabriolet]

is the timing belt off?

if yet. i use a rubber mallet and wack the intake and exhaust studs up and that gets em to pop loose

[jlevie]

If are positive that you haven't missed a head bolt, take out all of the intake and exhaust studs. Then, using a large rubber hammer, strike along the sides head at a slight upward angle.

If that doesn't work, more drastic (and slightly dangerous) action is called for. Sharpen the edge of a thick putty knife and drive that into the gasket. Be aware that doing so could damage the block or the head. Of the two head damage is more likely (it is softer) and more easily fixed by surfacing. Work from each end. If the head moves up, substitute a thicker wedge and continue until the head come free. Whatever you use should be at least an inch wide to spread the wedge forces.

[mother_russia]

[QUOTE=Jahman093;3575090]do you think by spraying it in the holes that it might free them up?/QUOTE]

Yeah that's what I would do. It's cheap as well. Why not give it a shot before quitting....

[AndrewBird]

MGBs use head studs, not bolts, and have both a cast iron block and head. Pulling the head can be VERY difficult. Use lots of penetrating oil (I recommend a 50/50 mixture of acetone and ATF) and careful prying with a thin bar will get it off. Like jlevie said though, you might damage the surface of the head/block, so be VERY careful.

[Jahman093]

I tried using a rubber hammer and it didn't work, so tomorrow im going to go out and get a putty knife and try my luck with that.

[e30Rooster]

take some pics first