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Massey Harris & Massey Ferguson Tractors Discussion Forum
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Problems removing head MH44

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MHFOX

09-22-2006 12:12:17




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I am trying to remove the head off my 44 gas. All nuts and hardware are removed but I cant get the head to break loose. I have finally got some small movement on the spark plug side. I can get a .020 feeler gage in there. The other side is still tight. Any advice on how to get this thing loose. I don't have a crane or other overhead lifting device. I didn't think I would need it.

Thanks

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MH44-Special

10-02-2006 13:28:52




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 Re: Problems removing head MH44 in reply to MHFOX, 09-22-2006 12:12:17  
Interestingly, I have had the same head removal problem on my 1954 44-Special. It seemed to be that the studs around cylinder number 4 (rear of engine), were rusty from water/coolant leakage, as number 4 exhaust port had water coming out of it when I removed the exhaust/intake manifold. And that exhaust valve is absolutely stuck in the valve open position. However, this really wasn't the case. It seems more like my pull with the overhead engine lift on the rocker arm drilled bosses was not evenly distributed over the whole head. The front of the head was receiving the greater upward force, and then the whole head would become canted or angled toward the front. I used a very thin paint scraper to get in around # 4 cylinder to loosen the head gasket. It was only after working for two full afternoons that I started applying upward force off of just the rear of the head. It finally gave, with a huge "WHAM!" So now I find that if I pull on each end separately, then put a block of wood under that end to keep from losing what I have gained, I can unhitch, attach to the opposite end of the head and pull again, and gain ground that way. Head almost off now. I cannot imagine the Massey-Harris dealer repair facilities going through this process though. There must be a simpler way.
Regards, MH44-Special in Oregon

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MHFOX

09-25-2006 05:53:46




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 Re: Problems removing head MH44 in reply to MHFOX, 09-22-2006 12:12:17  
Thanks for all the input. I am not able to use the rope trick since the engine is froze up, but it sounds like a good idea. I built a lifting device and currently have lifted the front end of the tractor (wheels just off the ground). So all the weight is hanging from the head. I will leave it sit like this and keep spraying it with penetrating oil. I will also keep tapping around the head with a brass bar and hammer. If there are any other good ideas, please let me know. Thanks for the help

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cdmn

09-24-2006 22:19:33




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 Re: Problems removing head MH44 in reply to MHFOX, 09-22-2006 12:12:17  
Old car guys sometimes feed a bunch of cord in through a sparkplug hole. Then the piston is used to lift the head. If you had it in two cylinders, you could roll the engine back and forth a half turn and work the head up from both ends.



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msb

09-22-2006 20:39:01




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 Re: Problems removing head MH44 in reply to MHFOX, 09-22-2006 12:12:17  
Try soaking the studs with penetrating oil.I have seen some heads that I had to remove some of the studs before I could get the head off.Don't use a chisel to wedge the head up like my buddies did while I was gone to lunch.They thought they would suprise me and have the head off when I got back.The head had to be milled where they damaged the surface.



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mhmalcolm

09-23-2006 12:25:31




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 Re: Problems removing head MH44 in reply to msb, 09-22-2006 20:39:01  
The penetrating oil around the studs is a good idea. On my 44 the two small 3/8" studs at the very front were rusted to the head and I had an awful time getting the head to move off of them. I was using a cherry picker so I could keep some pressure on while trying to work it loose. I have had luck in the past very carefully driving a wide putty knife between the head and the block to initially break the bond of the head gasket to the block and head.

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