Past it's best!

[Des N]

After a fairly easy job of getting the right head off, the left proved to be a right pain. It looks like it has never been off (original wire clips on the heater hose). The bolts came out easily and managed to get the front 3 studs out using the extractor tool. 2nd from rear sheared off and the rear one wouldn't budge and just seemed to be stretching the thread.

Decided to give the 'rope trick' a go with some success. Stuffed a load of nylon cord down the plug holes and cranked the enigne over half a turn. Cracked the head upenoughto give the extractor a go on the rear stud. Sheared one was not going anywhere though. After another couple of hours and a bit of help from my neighbour and his screwdriver crowbar, the head was up far enough to saw through the stud. Luckily...what was left in the blockun-did by hand!

2 cylinders were washed by water leaks and the gasket was just mash. Definitely worthreplacing me finks!

[Russell]

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Glad you got there in the end Des - and yep id say replace!!!!

[V Mad]

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Congratulations Des, its not an easy job on most cars. I take it this is not your first Stag head off job?

For the rope trick I take it you took the camshaft off first?

[Des N]

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Actually first Stag! I did a de-coke on an Opel Manta and 2.3 Vauxhall Victor about 15 years ago and that's been it apart from re-newing the brakes and doing minor work on Huggy. I only tinker a bit so it does go to prove that if you have a bit of time... it's not impossible.

Yep, remembered to take the camshaft off I have taken a few pics andlabelled up bank coin bags with all the nuts and bolts etc. Better not pat myself on the back too much as it's not back together yet!

[loudnproud]

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Well done Des first Stag head job and you end up getting a bugger of one and the patience to do it as well, don't forget to coat the shafts of all the studs and bolts with copper ease or something similar when you reassemble the heads, should make them easier to take apart next time.

Peter

[V Mad]

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I am impressed. What will you do with the head; does it need a skim, and was the old gasket a thick or standard one?

[Des N]

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I think from what the previous owner said, one head had been off before (probably the right one as in slightly better shape). I would sayleft one hasn't been off by the condition and the heater hose connection is the only one on the car to have the original wire type clip rather than a jubilee one. Iwas thinkinga light skim and extra thick payen gaskets should be ok?

I'm going to get the water pump reconditioned - again I don't think it's been off as it was on to stay as well. Are there any visual checks as to condition? It's a 12 vane one.

I'm looking at the starter and thinking should I change that as it's easy to get at now. Get the odd click... How come you start one job and it always leads to 'while I'm doing that I might as well...'?

[Gresley]

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Well done Des, looks like it was a pig of a job. This kind of thing frightens the life out of me!:shock:

Brian

[V Mad]

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The starter click could be a wiring problem. I recommend fitting a relay (EJ Ward sell a really nice kit).