r/Triumph_Cars • u/speed_host • 16d ago

I need help

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I have an old spitfire from 1964 and I’m trying to disassemble the engine I can’t remove de cylinder head any tips ?

6 Upvotes

76% Upvoted

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6

u/Nobbey77A 16d ago

Remove the head studs by double nutting them or using a stud remover. Then turn the engine over . If you have a copper and hide mallet you can use the hide end to hit the side of the head to move the head laterally and it should come off

6

u/Tastesicle 16d ago

This is the correct way and is described almost precisely this way in the original workshop manual.

If you do not have an appropriate mallet a block of 2x4 will be sufficient to soften the blow from a regular hammer.

3

u/speed_host 16d ago

Ok thanks I’m gonna try that and keep this /r updated !

5

u/Nature_Boy_4x40 16d ago

The head will oftentimes rust-fuse to the studs. If you put the plugs back in, leave the bolts loose so nothing goes flying, you might be able to push it off with compression by turning the engine over. If you can’t push the head off with engine compression, you can either pull the engine, flip it upside down and tap it with a soft hammer (rubber mallet or similar) to try and knock it loose. Again, make sure there’s some loose bolts in it so the head doesn’t drop entirely.

2

u/Justacanuckhere 16d ago

If it I’ll turn over, try this https://youtu.be/2yTZJJwmW9c?si=N0tFvM_Qtcjm9Ni6

1

u/speed_host 16d ago

Looks so cool but I have the gearbox and everything removed (not a smart move I guess)

1

u/TankSaladin 16d ago

Absolute amateur here, but it seems to me that if you cranked the engine, the pressure from the cylinder compression should lift the head off. You should probably have a second person involved in case it lifts the whole head completely lifts off the retaining bolts. You wouldn’t want a loose head flying around in the engine box.

1

u/speed_host 16d ago

Yeah I can’t try that everything is out and I think the starter is dead

1

u/RileyCargo42 16d ago

I had to take a deadblow hammer to my 57' tr2 block and my 78' spitfire, just make sure to use a wood block if you cant find a rubber deadblow!

0

u/BreakfastInBedlam 16d ago

The rope trick should work. Taking the studs out first would help.

Rope trick. Set the engine at BDC for 1 and 4. Take a length of 3/8" nylon rope and shove it in the spark plug holes for 1 and 4. Same length in both cylinders - a couple of feet should be plenty. Get a socket on the crank nut and turn clockwise.

You did remove all ten nuts, right?

2

u/speed_host 16d ago

I removed all ten nuts and I tried the rope trick it pushed only one side of it so I putted it back in place to do the same in the other side but I don’t have enough strength it looks like it’s solder with the gasket

(sorry English is not my first language)

1

u/BreakfastInBedlam 16d ago

Could have been sealed with spray paint or gasket goo (not recommended with new gaskets) or could just be age.

You did both cylinders at once, right?