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12-08-2014, 11:24 PM | #1 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: oklahoma
Posts: 38
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aluminum heads and the "rope trick"
I'm trying to get a pair of Edlebrock heads off the engine. They've been on there a long time and I haven't been able to budge them. I've heard about the rope trick. Has anyone actually done this and are there any down sides like damage to the heads or engine. Thanks
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12-08-2014, 11:40 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chester Vt
Posts: 8,855
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Re: aluminum heads and the "rope trick"
Well you push some rope down the spark plug holes and rotate the engine and hope for the best
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12-09-2014, 12:34 AM | #3 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: so cal, placerville, vegas
Posts: 1,394
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Re: aluminum heads and the "rope trick"
I tried it once, and it didn't work for me. But, no harm trying - give it a go. What's worst case? Might bust combustion chamber, if you can get enough momentum going with the 'rotate'. Like Ron says, 'hope for the best'.
For a running engine, I once had good luck loosening the head nuts (59A), and running the engine. One side popped loose quickly. Then I had to torque that side down and run the engine some more to pop the other side loose. I suspect this idea will not work if the heads are aluminum and really stuck?? Also recall how it was done in the 'old-days', 30's-40's-50's. Stock aluminum heads were 'sacrificial', and we would use destructive methods to get them off in chunks. Think chisels, saws, hammers, etc. This was the source of aluminum that we used in metal shop to learn aluminum casting. I still have cast book-ends from that experience. |
12-09-2014, 03:00 AM | #4 |
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Australa Melbourne
Posts: 878
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Re: aluminum heads and the "rope trick"
I have done this a bunch of times with engines out of the car it can not hurt anything
rope down the spark plug hole on 1 of the centre cylinders turn the crank till it stops and a few sharp tapes on head studs with the nuts backed off |
12-09-2014, 09:39 AM | #5 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: oklahoma
Posts: 38
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Re: aluminum heads and the "rope trick"
Thanks all for the wisdom. Now, I think I will go out and stare at it for a while until I decide what to do.
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12-09-2014, 11:02 AM | #6 |
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: 60 miles west of chicago,IL
Posts: 190
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Re: aluminum heads and the "rope trick"
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