Model 50 cylinder head removal

Hi Pete, ok , plug out ensure both valves closed, ie coming up onto compression, about but not at tdc, good length of rope, feed it into cylinder via plug hole as much as you can, use kick start try to turn the engine over, if not successful, back it off in gear via rear wheel , more rope, it will eventually give, leave a tail of rope hanging out othe plug hole for retrieval purposes if needed. Good luck, Jim Hill.

If the head is well bonded to the barrel I think the rope method is likely to lift head & barrel together from the cylinder base. Heat applied all around the joint area (especially if the head is alloy) might be the best option, followed by more gentle tapping with the mallet.

Ian McD

Previously peter_palmer wrote:

I have a model 50 engine thats been sat for 30 years. Thought I would remove the head to see what is inside. Rocker cover off, four collar nuts holding head removed but the head will not come off the barrel. Heard that you should not try to turn the motor over as it could damage the oil pump, tried the gentle tap with the mallet, will not budge. Any suggestions? heat the head ? (or barrel up?)

Hello peter this is not what you want to hear but if you damage the head i have one for sale .I also have a complete engine thats been sitting on my bench for years its just been kept as a spare motor for my ES2s its about time i moved it on i think.

Good luck with the head ( what you could try is boiling water in the plug hole with the engine tilted over if you are going to strip the engine in any case. Sorry about the after thought its an age thing ALLAN BROOKS

Hi Peter,

This is a common problem on the single cylinder engine and I have lost count of barrels and heads with broken fins where owners have tried tyre levers etc. to try to remove the head. As Ian says there is nothing to hold the barrel down, so if you have a friend who could hold the barrel down tight get a piece of wood and tap it with a suitable size hammer alternately under the inlet and exhaust ports to wriggle it off. What-ever you do, don't hit any unsupported fins. You can heat the head only up first, best with a hot air gun or if you use boiled water trickle it over slowly to allow the head to take the heat over a longer time, you might need a couple of kettle fulls.When you rebuild the engine, throw away the head gasket andlap grind the joint (see previous threads) and this will give a side clearance so this doesn't happen next time.

Regards, Richard.

Previously peter_palmer wrote:

Thanks for the tips guys. I have got a good heat gun so will get a friend over later and see how we go. Allen thanks for the offer I will bear it in mind, is the engine you have Es2 or model 50?

Pete

Hello Peter its an alternator mod 50 I had it running about three years ago in a es2 frame

tel 07817870751 CO DURHAM

Great news!