Cylinder Head Removal

[jwgreen]

Is it possible to pull the cylinder heads on a 914 with the engine still in the car. I know its prob easier to pull the entire engine. I am just curious if its possible. If it is where can I get a good run down on how to do this

[paulhagedorn]

I have heard that it is possible, but it seems very tight to me. If you do a search on removing the engine tin, you will see how much fun it is just to do that. I posted what all I had to do to remove the engine tin with the engine in the car and scared a person with how much is involved. Defintely easier to do it with the engine out of the car, yes. I want to say it was Wayne who actually told me that you could do it with the engine in the car, but not sure. It has been a while since I had that encounter...the passenger's side head had the fins break off where the HTS goes and I needed to fix that or replace the head...and good old AA was going to charge me 13 hours to take engine out put on new head that I had and put engine back in...HA to them!

Anyway, I am sure that someone will confirm or refute what I have just said soon enough.

Paul

[Bleyseng]

I think it "might" be possible but what a hassle. I have removed the engine tin also with the engine in. It was a tough job to say the least! (I was living in a apartment at the time).But it is possible to do...I can drop the motor & trans in about a hour. It is much easier to go that route.
Geoff

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76 914 2.0L

[3D914]

jwgreen,

I asked my local mechanic this same thing. His reply was that the studs that hold the heads on are too long to pull the head off cleanly while still in the car.

My fear would be bending one of the studs, or snapping one off. If you've ever tried pulling the push-rod tubes off (even when the engine is out of the car) you know what a knucle-busting PITA that is. I would liken pulling heads off in this manner to something like that.

Dropping the engine really isn't that bad, thanks to the folks at Pelican Parts. The procedures they provide are right on the money (except one thing - see below). My 12 year-old son and I did it in 5 hours and we took our sweet time.

The only gotcha in the process was the removal of the engine mounting bar bolts from the car. No mention in the instructions about the nut sitting up above and inside the framework. I expected the nut to be spot welded in place - Duh! Guess what - it will be for next time.

Good luck - either way.

Gerard