getting heads off
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Fredericksburg VA
getting heads off
Have 04 Softtail STD. Need to remove heads. How is the best and easyist way to get them off? In old school auto days, I would have loosen the head bolts, cranked the engine and let compression do the work. But with the V-Twin, I'm guessing that method would pull the cylinders out of the case instead of breaking the heads loose of the cylinders. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Grumpy
Grumpy
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From: san diego
they will come off without doing that, in fact, that was the wro0ng way, even then!! they come off quite easy I suggest you get a shop manual, and read up before doing more work than necessary
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Westchester, NY
Also after reading the manual, make sure you unload the Pushrods as you do each head so there is no force on those lifters. Try and keep the cylinders down when pulling off the heads otherwise you will break the seal with the case. Not a big deal but once that is done you may want to replace those cylinder base O rings..
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Fredericksburg VA
Thanks for the advice. Have shop manual and have even read it a number of times. It details very well the steps of disconnecting this and that and even to loosen the head bolts 1/4 turn each so the head does warp. BUT no where does it tell you how to break the seal between the cylinder - head gasket and head. I really don't think the head will JUST lift off after they've been unbolted. And I don't think prying on the cooling fins will work - only to break one or more. So back to my original question - how do I get the head to come loose of the head gasket and the cylinder?
Thanks
Thanks
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From: san diego
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From: Southern California
With the nuts on the head studs completely removed, the rocker arm assemblies and the spark plugs removed; squirt a bit of lighter fluid (a bit of propane will work in a pinch) through the spark plug hole. Use one of those BBQ Grill Lighters and hold it near the spark plug hole. Oh, also put a rag (a dead or nearly dead cat will work as well) on the top of the cylinder head so it doesn't leave to big of a hole in the cieling as it readily removes itself from the rest of the engine. CAUTION! DO NOT stand over the engine when doing this.
Actually . . . you should follow any method except this one . . . hopefully you recognize that this is not serious advice.
Actually . . . you should follow any method except this one . . . hopefully you recognize that this is not serious advice.