Question on removing heads

[turbohunter]

Then you are light years ahead.
You'll get it.
Maybe you can jack up the engine a bit.

[cjshaker]

If there's room, just remove the head with the manifold still on. It'll be MUCH easier to get them out once it's out in the open. Once you round off the heads, THEN it's a PITA. Usually the bottom ones never seize up, it's the top ones that do because the back of the threaded hole is exposed to the elements. The bottom ones are sealed.

[The Real McCoy]

If your dealing with a 390 there are only 10 head bolts, 5 under the valve cover and 5 inboard from the exhaust manifold by the spark plugs. The exhaust manifold does NOT have to be remove, as long as the first exhaust pipe is disconnected. If you have 10 bolts out, stick at least one back in but leave it backs off a couple turns. Get a bar in the intake manifold to pop it loose. The bolt will keep the head from falling off the engine when it comes loose. The 10 bolts are 1/2" with a 3/4" socket size.

[428Marauder]

What do you mean by "first exhaust pipe"? Sorry if that is a noob question.

[428Marauder]

I was hoping, since the exhaust has been cut out, I could just pull all of it out.

[turbohunter]

You can.
Did you take out all the bolts that hold the head on. There are ten as described above.

[428Marauder]

Yes, got those out. Have hammered a screw driver in where the gasket is, heads still will not come out. Not just the gasket holding it on.

[cjshaker]

Hammering a screwdriver under the head is not the best choice. Hopefully it didn't damage anything.
This really shouldn't be that difficult. Sometimes they can be stubborn, but a bit of patience always wins. If you've got a pry bar, try putting leverage on it inside the intake port while hitting the intake side of the head with a dead blow hammer. Sometimes it can take quite a few hits. If you run out of patience that way, try putting leverage on the bar and cutting a 2x4 to wedge under the pry bar and walk away for 24 hrs. The constant leverage should break it loose.

[turbohunter]

Ok
I wouldn't use a screw driver for wedging the heads off. No leverage, you'll break the driver and screw up the head/block surface.
Get yourself a pry bar, wrap a rag around the end and carefully lodge it in an intake port.
Gently tap the head with a dead blow hammer while applying some leverage to it.
Don't be an animal. It can break.

[The Real McCoy]

Sorry bout that. Doing this on my phone.  My friend Siri must have put the "first" in there. Meant to make sure the exhaust pipe is disconnected

[428Marauder]

Ok, my bad, missed the farthest back bolt on both sides, and got them loose. Apparently though the exhaust is still attached somewhere so I will prolly get under there and cut where I need to.

Thanks for all your help guys!

[turbohunter]

Hah
Yeah they're kinda rough to get off without those out.
Good luck.
One thing going forward.
The guys here are the best.
Just ask.
Also why not start a thread in members projects and tell us about the car.

[428Marauder]

I think I might have for my convertible. This was bought as a parts car, has a frozen motor, but it's too good, and too original to part out. Likely wont keep it.

[turbohunter]

Ahh
Good luck.

[thatdarncat]

I had a pair of 428 CJ heads once, came in a collection of FE stuff I bought, that one of the heads had a broken corner by the inner head bolt hole, you're not the first to try and take one off without all the headbolts off. You caught it in time. Good luck.