What's the best way to handle this? (separate the cam tower from the heads in-situ)

[BGCarrera32]

Hi all, continuing on from my thread here: ThreeBond 1194 between the heads and cam towers...yay or nay? I am now at the point where I can separate the tower from the heads. I'd like to leave the heads alone, meaning the head studs/heads etc are to be left in place. What's the best way to pry/beat/extract the tower from the heads?

My leak was near the red arrow.

Thanks

[Lapkritis]

There's thick meat above the exhaust port. Always gentle with aluminum and be careful not to pry against a fin... which goes without saying. Just make sure you have all the nuts off for all heads first. Triple check.

[Jeff Alton]

Use a dead blow plastic faced hammer on the corners right by your arrow (or a rubber mallet). They should pop off pretty easily.....

Cheers

[Flat6pac]

You still have the rockers in place so you cant get to all the nuts.
Bruce

[JohnJL]

I know you don't want to hear this, but my opinion is you will be better off doing it properly and taking the towers off, rockers out, etc.

I'd be concerned about contamination of the engine when doing it like you are suggesting. 574 sqeezeout blobs can break off and float about in your oil after you seal it up. You also need to get fresh sealant to every mating surface, not just the leaking part.

You MIGHT be ok doing it your way, but its not what I'd do on my own motors.

[BGCarrera32]

Originally Posted by Flat6pac

You still have the rockers in place so you cant get to all the nuts.
Bruce

Ah, forgot about that...that would explain it.