Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

So I was just going to do a simple cam swap... now I got a cylinder head that will not come off the block. I have tried everything (prying, deadblow hammer, hydraulic jack, etc.). I know so I need some ideas on how to get this thing off. It’s a 67 c10 with 283 engine with 101k miles. And I can’t drop a 350 in it right now. Thanks!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

Pictures please

Why are you taking off a cylinder head for a cam swap on a 283 ?
It is an un needed step

Is it your intake stuck on have you got all 12 bolts out 2 at the front 2 in the middle and two st the back on each side

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

I’ll get a photo in a bit. Lifters are not coming out due to built up carbon so I need to get the heads out of the way so I can line up my slide hammer on the lifters. Any ideas on pulling out lifters with head attached?? All bolts are out on the cylinder head. Intake manifold is on the shop floor. Photos in a little while.

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

Photos... Ideally the lifters would slide right out and there would be no need for lifter removal tools and removing heads and such, but at 101k miles lifters are very stubborn.

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

Can you prop the lifters up pull the cam and drop the lifters out through the bottom?

I would be concerned about damaging the lifters bore if there that hard and built up

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

I was not planning on opening up the bottom end but that could be a last resort. Hell, I wasn’t planning on pulling the heads either but here I am! Maybe it is time for a complete rebuild, just don’t really have the money for that right now after Christmas!

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

The heads have 17 bolts each did you get all of them out ?

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

Yeah all bolts are out. I triple checked that.

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

Make sure you have removed 17 head bolts per side....ugh...I see gmc684x4 beat me to it...

I have seen experienced techs forget the end bolt under each end of the valve cover !

You can get a sharpened hook tool into the cup in the top of the lifter and use a slide hammer to extract....

Try spraying brake clean around the lifter body and let it soak a while....

The lifters on a small block will usually not come up high enough to remove the cam...if they are carboned up badly...

:chevy::chevy::chevy:

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

A bit extreme, but the cylinder head could be removed with hydraulic pressure. Modify a set of spark plugs to include a grease zerk on each one. Pump the cylinders full of grease, and then add a little to each cylinder in turn until it pops free.

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

FINALLY!!! Used the long screwdriver method again and after much tapping with a hammer I got it broken loose! I did check and recount bolts again just to make sure. Never had one that tough to get off before. Thanks for all the help!!! Time for dinner now!

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

Great...

perhaps never been off before....

make sure both the block deck and head surface a flat and dont have any gouges from the screwdriver usage...

:chevy::chevy::chevy:

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

Yeah it’s all original. Been in the family since 67. Finally getting around to sprucing it up a bit. Adding dual exhaust, cam and timing set, new intake manifold and going from a 2-barrel carb to a 4-barrel.

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

Remember, its only a little 283....keep the carb size down, vacuum secondaries....a 750 cfm is too big....especially if it is an automatic truck...

Check out this CFM calculator link...street use on a 283 really only needs about a 300 cfm carb....Holley 350 2 barrel on a dual plane manifold will work well...

https://www.summitracing.com/popup/c...cfm-calculator

Check distributor for wear on the gear and end play....a new hei unit will wake it up...just remember to replace the resistor feed wire with a non resistor...

I know you are going to replace the lifters with the new cam...suggest you check valve spring seat pressures while the heads are off...

Very important is the breakin oil needed by the cam and the breakin procedure...



:chevy::chevy::chevy:

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

If it hasn't been apart since 67, I wouldnt stop there...a full rebuild is in order..rebuild kits for sbc dont cost much..especially if you dont need any machine work..but I'm betting you might..
And replace the oil pump as well...remember..its 53yrs old..

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

How big of a wear lip is on the top of the cylinders?

Did you do a compression test before tear down ?

Today's oils are better than the oils of yester year they have less waxs and leave sludge behind

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

Wear lip is not that much. I was surprised. Can feel it but barely. I did not measure it. Probably somewhere between .002” and .005” maybe. And I did not even think to check compression. Engine is surprising clean, little to no sludge.

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

What are your short term and long term goals?
Are you keeping it numbers matching ?
Being original motor i would change the pan gasket as well and check to see if the lifter bottems have mushroomed out

Vortec 350 can be found on the cheap on many late model ones i notice if it has a fuel pump block off plate its a 4 bolt main
If you scrounge a used vortec there prone to leaky intake gaskets express vans run them as late as 2002

Ls swaps can be done cheap if you research it and put the sweat equity into the swap

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

I saw a broken SBC head used as a door stop at Alec's automotive machine shop in Vancouver. Someone had managed to remove most of it without removing the outside row of bolts.

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

Also, did any of the spark plugs have a little rust on them or did you have a cold miss until warmup. The 283 heads (and others) have hairline cracked before between the exhaust and intake valves that once the heads are cleaned can usually be seen. When the engine cools, antifreeze will slightly leak into the cylinder. You may want to magnaflux the heads when the head work is done.

If you have this condition, I think the head is usually a throw away. Maybe you already know you do not have this problem.

Re: Seized Cylinder Head. Ideas for Removal
 

Spray carb cleaner around the lifter & keep working it up & down. There is a lifter removing tool that works real slick. You can use it as a slide hammer or screw. If they are all stuck it usually is varnish built up on he lower portion. If the bottom is mushroomed it is usually only 1 or 2 lifters.
George