Head Stud Washers Not Coming Out...

[lsf911]

I am in the process of tearing down a 69E 2.0 engine. Trying to remove the cam towers and heads as a unit. I successfully removed the head stud nuts but the head stud washers are stuck and will not budge. Sprayed PB Blaster on each one, no success.

Any tricks I can try? Is this a common problem or am I screwed (no pun intended)?






Appreciate any help I can get.

[dannobee]

You should still be able to remove the head assembly. Once it comes off, try using a screwdriver from the backside and catch the edge of the washer.

[lsf911]

The washers are frozen to the head studs stopping the heads from pulling off.

[boyt911sc]

Lou,

Why are you trying to remove the cam tower and cylinder heads together? Are you not planning to have the cylinder heads machined? What is the logic behind it? As you are now experiencing, you are making a simple engine tear down process more difficult than it should be. Keep us posted.

Tony

[lsf911]

Tony,

I'm not. I'm trying to remove the cam tower and head assembly together as was described in all the write ups.

I am trying to get the engine down to the cylinder heads. Not trying to complicate anything. I think these 30+ year old cars do that all by themselves.

I know you have done many engines over the years. Have you run into the head stud washers being corroded onto the studs?

[dannobee]

Not THAT bad. I was always able to wedge a screwdriver down the hole and wiggle the stud around to break the rust up. The head assy will come off with all of the washers still in place. Douse the whole affair with PB Blaster and let it sit, then try the wiggle method. You just need to get the stud to loosen up. You can remove the washers from the heads once you get it apart.

[lsf911]

[lsf911]

These are bad. I can wiggle the studs but the washers move with them like they are attached. It's like the nuts are still on there as far as moving the cam tower/ head assemblies.

Would you recommend heating them up to try and break them free?

[bpu699]

The washers wont hold the heads on, no matter how corroded...

Have you tried a rubber mallet?

Penetrating oil for several days?

You sure you didn't miss a nut somewhere???

My suspicion is you didn't get all the nuts... there is a lot of them...



Edit, saw the picture of 12 nuts...weird

[lsf911]

I got all 12 of them, they are in the picture above.

I have been hammering the washers with a socket on an extension. I have gotten 6 of them to break free at this point. they have been soaking in PB Blaster for a couple of days. I'm impatient, I admit it

[bpu699]

Originally Posted by lsf911

I got all 12 of them, they are in the picture above.

I have been hammering the washers with a socket on an extension. I have gotten 6 of them to break free at this point. they have been soaking in PB Blaster for a couple of days. I'm impatient, I admit it

If you truly thinks its rusted, I wonder if one of those rust dissolving solutions they sell at the autoparts stores/harbordreight would work? Soak a napkin, put it in the hole, give it a day...

[lsf911]

bpu699,

You were correct. Even though they were rusted to the studs that was not going to keep the heads on. I soaked it with more pb blaster, then hammered each one with a deep socket. The cam towers and heads started to move a bit. I wiggled them off.

Thanks guys for the comments/help.
Appreciate it.

[Dauner]

Hi Lou,

FYI I made home movies of a number of my disassembly processes, talking thru as I went. I made a movie of head / camshaft carrier separation as well. Let me know if you want me to post it somewhere. this was the only one where my son was holding the camera, so it's got the handheld camera vibe, but not too bad.

My plan is to someday upload all of the videos to youtube, including my swapping out of timing chains that I did a couple of years ago. Just haven't gotten around to it. partly was thinking I should wait until I successfully rebuild the engine.

Mark

[lsf911]

Hi Mark,

I am interested in seeing your video regards cam tower and head assembly dismantling. You can post it here if you like or pm me and I'll give you my email address.

Thanks!

[Dauner]

Hi Lou,

I'm not much of a youtuber, but I think you should be able to go here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yefIxpxY8zo

some of my other videos are on my "thedauner" channel as well.

let me know if it doesn't work for you.

thx

[lsf911]

That was great Mark, thank you. Watched a couple of your other videos as well!

[cgarr]

Ill usually find a half of twelve in the bottom of my ultrasonic cleaner after doing a set of heads.
otherwise a bit of heat can jaw them loose