Head Removal

[HOLLYWOODSPIDER]

Today's the big day. I've been putting off removing the head for weeks and months, and today's the day. I got my gasket kit and timing belt from Mark, and I'm opening up my engine for the first time. I'm pretty excited. It looks like a straightforward job that I hope will only take me a couple of hours.

I'm getting 3 exhaust studs heli-coiled and having the valves reconditioned while it's off. I'm excited to hear what the engine sounds like when I'm all done, as it's had an exhaust leak as long as I've owned it.

Does anyone have any tips or recommendations of things I should get to while the head's off?

[baltobernie]

The steering box is all but hidden underneath the 1756 intake manifold. While the head is off, change the oil and adjust the lash. The square hole plug is often difficult to remove; some resort to the "Vise-Grips struck with a hammer" approach. Another trick uses the female end of a 3/8" extension to mate with the fitting.

[Europa]

I am in the process of rebuilding the cylinder head as well. Mine's taking a bit too long. I should get the head back from the machine shop this Friday. I posted about my blown head gasket and received very good advice. Here's the link to the post.
http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3766

Here's the list of suggestions I received from this group;

* Cylinder Head Gasket Set
* Timing Belt
* Tensioner Bearing
* Adjust Valves (need shims)
* Check/Change Spark Plugs
* Distributor Cap, Rotor
* Oil, Oil Filter
* Radiator Hoses All
* Thermostat
* Water Pump
* Check Steering Box & Top Off (Bernie already mentioned this)
* Heater Hoses
* PCV Hose
* Clean Cyclonic Trap, replace gasket

Good luck!

[bradartigue]

Adding to this list:

Engine mounts (easier to get to)
Valves
If you have an oil filled steering damper then clean it up, drain it, clean it, refill.
Fuel pump if mechanical

[HOLLYWOODSPIDER]

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I've already gone through the steering and motor mounts. I'll definitely clean out the cyclonic trap.

I had not thought about the tensioner bearing.

I dropped the head off this afternoon. The guy is going to do a complete valve job, hot tank it, resurface and do the 3 heli-coils. $200 for everything and will be done Thursday AM.

[So Cal Mark]

is he going to adjust the valves for you too?

[HOLLYWOODSPIDER]

I'm doing the valve adjustment myself. will be in touch with you for some shims.

[Jim DeShon]

I'm not so hot on the "Vise-Grip and hammer" thing. One might try a socket designed for square nuts. ...J.D.

[ventura ace]

Hollywood,
Is the goal to have it all together in time for the Best of France and Italy show on Sunday?

Alvon

[HOLLYWOODSPIDER]

Alvon-

I was not even aware that the show is this sunday. I probably hang out in the wrong board areas to learn about that stuff. If I had realized, I wouldn't have torn it down until next week. That's my favorite car show! I guess I'm missing this one. I'm going to be putting the engine back together slowly over the next week or so. Much to clean and refinish.

There's always next year.

-Ted

[baltobernie]

I'm not so hot on the "Vise-Grip and hammer" thing. One might try a socket designed for square nuts. ...J.D.

It's 8 or maybe 9mm (I forget), and I couldn't find one anywhere; SnapOn, Mac, Craftsman, etc. Used to be in a couple of tool catalogs, but nobody seems to have one. It's a tapered pipe thread, too, and tends to get really, really tight; maybe galvanic action plays a part. More likely, no PO has ever touched it because it's so darn difficult to get at!

[ventura ace]

I was not even aware that the show is this sunday. I probably hang out in the wrong board areas to learn about that stuff. If I had realized, I wouldn't have torn it down until next week. That's my favorite car show! I guess I'm missing this one. I'm going to be putting the engine back together slowly over the next week or so. Much to clean and refinish.

There's always next year.

-Ted

You're always welcome to come hang with the gang even if you don't have your Italian car. It should be a good crowd, as usual. You might even enjoy it more if you aren't dealing with the extra effort to make your car shine for the show -- you have more time to look around and talk with everybody else! You might even get some good ideas that'll help you in putting your car back together.

Alvon

[manoa matt]

If that square plug is stubborn, there is no need to bust your knuckles trying to get it off. I broke an 8 mm wrench last time I tried. Besides if you are trying drain the old oil and add new oil you might as well take the whole cover off, its alot easier. You just have to use a screw driver to hold the adjuster screw while you spin the cover off. I've even had luck topping it off/filling it with a syringe with the needle stuck in the slot of the adjuster post.

[mbouse]

I'm not so hot on the "Vise-Grip and hammer" thing. One might try a socket designed for square nuts. ...J.D.

It's 8 or maybe 9mm (I forget), and I couldn't find one anywhere; SnapOn, Mac, Craftsman, etc. Used to be in a couple of tool catalogs, but nobody seems to have one. It's a tapered pipe thread, too, and tends to get really, really tight; maybe galvanic action plays a part. More likely, no PO has ever touched it because it's so darn difficult to get at!

that's cuz you didn't shop in KOW KUNTRY, where square head bolts are still common. there's lots of tractor and impliment items that still use square headed bolts. Course, you'd have to substitute SAE for the similar size metric. But that's a lot better than wacking pliers with a hammer.

[Europa]

It's 8 or maybe 9mm (I forget), and I couldn't find one anywhere; SnapOn, Mac, Craftsman, etc. Used to be in a couple of tool catalogs, but nobody seems to have one.

Is this what y'all are looking for?
http://www.abbeypowertools.co.uk/car-se ... 38329.aspx