Dumb question: Removing cylinder head

[sickradsean]

I’m gonna have to get some gasket cleaner. The residue is caked on. I’m taking my time and slowly scraping it off, not gonna use power tools.

Here is a link to a YT video showing how I removed old, stuck on head gasket material on my 76 restoration. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMjWrOP ... 42&index=9


Nope. That’s you playing a show (very nicely I would add). But I am curious about your removal method.

[Sidecar Bob]

I use the method described in the Honda Common Service Manual (I believe this is what Len did too)
viewtopic.php?t=78429#p821029

[gltriker]

you may have already read this Honda technical Service Bulletin?

https://www.ngwclub.com/File%20Share/10 ... 0%2314.pdf

[sickradsean]

Mixed bag this morning. I got the head side all cleaned and polished. I used a sharpie to double check that there are no high spots. I also turned a 1/2" dowel pin into a 12mm locator pin on the lathe. Yay!


The bad news is the stuck pin is not giving up any territory and in fact has decided to give up on me. No amount of PB blaster, heat, drill bit and pliers, or praying to unknown garage deities has helped. I've got an extractor set on the way and I believe the 13/32 should be able to get it. I'm taking as much precaution as possible to not damage the engine casing while getting it out.

[Track T 2411]

I would try a small chisel to the exposed lip and see if you can get it to start buckling inward. You can then work the very edge of the chisel down to split the pin.

[sickradsean]

I got the pin out, in many pieces. I still need to go back in and clean up the threads but I did notice something troubling. It looks like there is a hairline crack in the block at the top of the locator pin hole. It seems to go up and not towards the cylinder so I'm hoping iwont become a major problem Thoughts?

[redglbx]

Oooohhhhh that don’t look good !

[Lucien Harpress]

So I'm not expert, so take my advice for what it is.

That's not great. Definitely not ideal. But, it's not next to the cylinder that blew with the head gasket, so it didn't cause that. It doesn't really look like it's headed toward any kind of coolant/oil passage, and the motor mount right there is pretty chunky. But finally (and more importantly), chances are to fix that properly, you'd need to pull the motor.

If it were me, I'd probably put it back together, run it as-is, and see how long she goes. You might get lucky and never have a problem with it, but again, if you do, you're pulling the motor anyway.

[ritalz]

So I'm not expert, so take my advice for what it is.

That's not great. Definitely not ideal. But, it's not next to the cylinder that blew with the head gasket, so it didn't cause that. It doesn't really look like it's headed toward any kind of coolant/oil passage, and the motor mount right there is pretty chunky. But finally (and more importantly), chances are to fix that properly, you'd need to pull the motor.

If it were me, I'd probably put it back together, run it as-is, and see how long she goes. You might get lucky and never have a problem with it, but again, if you do, you're pulling the motor anyway.

I would agree with this. That line does not look like it is in a critical place. Might run for a long time.

[ericheath]

I’d fill it with something and glass it flat. JBWeld high temp? Solder? It will fill the void, be compressed and trapped. I’m thinking it will be better than leaving it empty. Maybe others know better?

Heads are getting more scarce all the time, especially ones that don’t need repair, but that is an option, and if you consider the time, cost of repeating the repair, likelihood of it failing near home, it is an option.

[Lucien Harpress]

Just to confirm, the crack is on the block, correct? Because that makes a difference.

If it's on the head, I'd say replace it. But if it's on the block, see my previous post.

[sickradsean]

Just to confirm, the crack is on the block, correct? Because that makes a difference.

If it's on the head, I'd say replace it. But if it's on the block, see my previous post.

Yes the crack is on the block running NW of the top right locating pin/bolt hole on the #1 cylinder. I think it cracked when I was trying to use an extractor to get the pin out. It’s not ideal for sure, but the location and direction are in a place that shouldn’t affect the cylinder itself. Hopefully. I’m thinking of pushing some JB into it to fill the void. At this point it’s put the engine back together and see if it fails. Really not much more I can do other than start prepping my wife for the “I need a new motorcycle” talk.