Try the spark plug - turn the engine over method, but this time roll the car
down the drive way and pop the clutch in first gear. You'll spin the engine
faster and thus get more compression then the starter can provide. I'd also
keep the spark plugs finger tight, don't back them out.
> ----------
> From: William M. Gilroy[SMTP:wmgilroy@lucent.com]
> Reply To: William M. Gilroy
> Sent: Thursday, November 19, 1998 8:55 AM
> To: midgets; mgs
> Subject: Got my manifolds off, but the head is stuck
>
> I finally got a chance to get the intake and exhaust manifolds
> off my 77 Midget. The solution for the two bolts between the manifolds
> was to take a 9/16" open end wrench and bend it about 15-20 degrees.
> Then I could reach the bolt that was front from underneath. The bolt
> in the back could not be reached from underneath due to the heat
> collector (I'm guessing, the thing that is attached to the exhaust
> manifold and goes to the air cleaner) was in the way. What I did there
> was to stick the bent wrench in between the two manifolds, and then use
> a big pair of pliers to spin the wrench.
>
> I now have the following off: both manifolds, valve rocker, water pump,
> and all 10 nuts holding the head, but the head is still stuck tight.
> Here is what I have tried:
>
> 1. Just pulling it off. No go, I would need superman for that.
>
> 2. Install all four plugs, put back the head nuts and tighten them finger
>
> tight. I then backed them off 1 turn. The value rocker is off so
> all of the valves are closed. I then cranked the engine. The
> compression did not work the head loose.
>
> 3. I then removed all of the spark plugs and fed a bunch of clean
> cotton rope into the cylinders (two at a time). I then turned the
> engine over by the big nut on the crankshaft. Still no luck. Since
> my crescent wrench had trouble staying on the nut I tried putting the
> car in gear and rolling it forwards. The rope gets compressed and
> then the car stops dead.
>
> 4. Gave up it was 1:30 AM and I figure if I kept at it I would
> just wind up making my problem worse. For once I used good
> judgment.
>
> How can I get this thing off? How hard can I roll the car before
> I have to worry about bending or breaking a rod? I could roll
> it down the driveway and pop the clutch :-) I would bet something
> would happen.
>
> Any ideas would be helpful. I really thought that the rope
> (another idea from this list) would work. I just don't want to make
> my troubles or repairs bigger then they are now.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Bill
> --
> William M. Gilroy
> 77 Midget
> E-mail: wmgilroy@lucent.com
> Telephone: 732-957-4775
> Fax: 732-957-4775
>
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