For the record, I'm talking about the cylinder head on my '85 Duke. My own head may be stuck, too, but that's a different problem. See https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/006261.html .

I'm trying to remove the head. The center head bolt on the exhaust side broke about 1/2" below the bolt head. The bolt is covered with a black powdery deposit like exhaust carbon. (Unlike the two rusty bolts on either side of it, which did come out.) I have removed all other head bolts, manifolds, etc.; however, the cylinder head will not move. I assume it's stuck on the bolt stub, or maybe a previous mechanic glued the head gasket.)

Has anyone else had this problem? How did you solve it?

I'm soaking the bolt stub in penetrating oil. I have also tried a 3-lb copper hammer and a crowbar. I reconnected the battery and cranked the starter, trying to loosen the head with compression (but, because the intake valves don't open, that probably doesn't help much). Any other ideas?

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Hey MrP!
Sounds like a sticky situation!
That sounds like the bolt that goes through the EGR passage...
GOOD LUCK!!!
If the crow bar and hammer didn't loosen it up, I would try TWO crowbars...
One on each end...
Can you see the bolt by looking into the manifold ports?
If you can see it, try heating with the blue wrench...
crash...

I had this problem on a Ferrari V12 I was working on one time only no head bolts were left in. After trying everyting including starting it without bolts we had it hauled to the Ferrari dealer an hour and a 1/2 away. What they did was remove the engine and hang it by the head so that the engine was 1/8 inch away from the floor. After three days the head finally broke loose but the drop was so small it didn't damage anything.

If you tried this just keep putting a good rust solvent on it everytime you can. It might work with out damaging anything.

[This message has been edited by skitime (edited 03-18-2001).]

Good god! And I thought it was pretty difficult to get my V6 heads off. I just put a pry bar down an intake passage and pryed, little by little it came off, very easily compared to pulling the engine and hanging it by its head.

The scary part of that story was I was working on the car in the garage of this restaurant owner whose residence was on the second floor and restaurant was on the first floor as was the garage which was in the back. I had tried everything to get the heads loose like pry bars, turning the engine over without starting the engine to get the compression to loosen it. Nothing worked. So as a last resort I put the intake back on and tried to start it with out the air cleaners. Well it popped off and shortly backfired sending flames out the intake. Next I notice flames coming from the top of the engine valley. Here the oil in the valley caught fire and starting to get pretty serious. Well I was picturing me burning up this guys Ferrari V12 coupe right in his garage and then burning up his resturant and home as well. First thing I thought of was grab a hose and put out a fire. Well, I was young and dumb and should of known better than put a oil fire out with a water hose. This just spreads the fire as oil floats on the water. Well after a few anxious moments the flames did go out except now the fire went down inside the engine putting out clouds of black smoke. I was about to wet my pants with fear. Luckily the resturant was only open in the evenings and it was around noon because that black smoke was thick and the kitchen door was right beside the garage. I finally got rags to block the passages that was allowing air into the engine and the fire inside the engine was smothered. Wheww that was close.

There for a minute I thought that you were going to say 'Who blew out the sun'! (LOL)

If you have access to a cherry picker, try hooking it like you were going to pull the engine from the top.
Get a little bit of upward tension to the head and then try the hammer abit again.
If it still won't come loose, keep the tension and use something like a punch on the remaining top part of the broken bolt.

Try the Jag method and hook a chain block and pully to head and lift the rear of your car off the ground and let gravity take its course.

Protecting the back window wouldn't hurt if trying this.

Good ideas!

I think I'll hang the car by its head, heat the head through the exhaust port, and get another crowbar. And maybe a bigger hammer. If that doesn't work, I guess I can do a quick-and-dirty rebuild on my spare engine.

Thanks for your help!

Hey Ya'll lets have ourselves a good ole' fashion hangin! LOL Just couldn't resist.

I have a pic that would go nicely with the title of this thread, but I think that many would be offended!!!!!!!!

http://home1.gte.net/rebel33/Head.jpg
couldnt help myself

If you are easily offended don't follow my link.
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[This message has been edited by Jake_Dragon (edited 03-20-2001).]

As I said, that's a different problem.

I really hate to say this, but the pic I had in mind was much much worse......

quote Originally posted by William: I really hate to say this, but the pic I had in mind was much much worse......