Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 07-04-2018, 11:12 AM   #1
1930deluxe
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Garretson S.D.
Posts: 114
Default Head Removal

I would like to remove the head to free up the valves and install a new head gasket. My concern is the distributor so I get it back in the right position. This is my first Model A so I don't know where to start. There is probably a place to have the number 1 piston before I take it apart? Looking for help.
1930deluxe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2018, 11:50 AM   #2
Gary WA
Senior Member
 
Gary WA's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island
Posts: 4,088
Default Re: Head Removal

dosen"t matter on the distributor, only on timing does the piston need to be tdc.http://modelabasics.com/home.htm
__________________
www.whidbeymodelaclub.com
Gary WA is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 07-04-2018, 11:52 AM   #3
Farrell In Vancouver
Senior Member
 
Farrell In Vancouver's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Pitt Meadows BC
Posts: 1,003
Default Re: Head Removal

You could always use the Timing pin in the front of the engine to find #1 at TDC. Then remove the distributor cap and photograph where the rotor is pointing for later reference.
Farrell In Vancouver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2018, 12:11 PM   #4
Keith True
Senior Member
 
Keith True's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Epping N.H.
Posts: 2,969
Default Re: Head Removal

If it is correctly timed before you take it apart it can only go back together one way.It doesn't have a gear with multiple options like a modern car.
Keith True is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2018, 01:42 PM   #5
George Miller
Senior Member
 
George Miller's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: NC
Posts: 2,975
Default Re: Head Removal

The dist is the easy part. Getting the head off and not breaking studs, might be the hard part.
George Miller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2018, 03:04 PM   #6
Purdy Swoft
Senior Member
 
Purdy Swoft's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Alabama
Posts: 8,099
Default Re: Head Removal

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
I agree with George . The risk of wringing off studs is why head removal is always a last resort for me .
Purdy Swoft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2018, 03:12 PM   #7
WHN
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Connecticut Shoreline
Posts: 1,815
Default Re: Head Removal

Loosen the head nuts, remove distributor, crank engine over. Head should pop up. Leave spark plugs in head.

Use penetrating oil on studs before you start working on them.

Good luck.

Last edited by WHN; 07-04-2018 at 07:42 PM.
WHN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2018, 05:10 PM   #8
daveymc29
Senior Member
 
daveymc29's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Danville, CA
Posts: 1,550
Default Re: Head Removal

We changed out two head gaskets at the repair facility in Sparks. Both came off with one bump of the lead hammer under the water pump after removing the studs. Most were able to be removed with fingers and a couple on both engines required a pair of pliers to get them started, Both sets of studs had been installed with anti-seize and both head gaskets had been sprayed with a sealant that had reacted poorly with the silicone gasket.
daveymc29 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2018, 06:52 PM   #9
Chuck Sea/Tac
Senior Member
 
Chuck Sea/Tac's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma
Posts: 2,351
Default Re: Head Removal

[QUOTE=daveymc29;Both sets of studs had been installed with anti-seize and both head gaskets had been sprayed with a sealant that had reacted poorly with the silicone gasket.[/QUOTE]
Therein lies the problem:no sealant is to be used on the silicone gaskets.
Chuck Sea/Tac is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2018, 10:45 PM   #10
1crosscut
Senior Member
 
1crosscut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 1,905
Default Re: Head Removal

Getting a head off can be quite a challenge at times. There are pullers available from the suppliers that works quite well. Give it a try before purchasing one. Perhaps you will get lucky. DON'T use screw drivers etc... to try and pry it up. You can do some pretty serious damage to the block and bend valves by sticking stuff in there and prying and hammering.
Patience grasshopper!
After you get it all back together you can re-time the distributor to the engine then. No worries about leaving the engine in a specific position while working on it. Next time you make an order for parts buy the NuRex timing wrench. Makes timing an engine a snap.
__________________
Dave / Lincoln Nebraska
1crosscut is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2018, 10:51 PM   #11
denniskliesen
Senior Member
 
denniskliesen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SoCal
Posts: 877
Default Re: Head Removal

All good advice here. My advice, get a copy of Model A Ford Mechanics Handbook by Les Andrews Vol #1. Lots of good information in there with procedures of how to repair your Model A.
denniskliesen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-04-2018, 11:03 PM   #12
daveymc29
Senior Member
 
daveymc29's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Danville, CA
Posts: 1,550
Default Re: Head Removal

Chuck Sea Tac I agree 100%
daveymc29 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2018, 08:27 AM   #13
1930deluxe
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Garretson S.D.
Posts: 114
Default Re: Head Removal

Thanks to everyone that responded to my questions it is so helpful to have a place to ask questions and receive an answer or suggestion. You guys are great!

Last edited by 1930deluxe; 07-05-2018 at 10:13 AM.
1930deluxe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-05-2018, 10:08 AM   #14
1930deluxe
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Garretson S.D.
Posts: 114
Default Re: Head Removal

Gary, great web site thank you
1930deluxe is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2018, 09:51 AM   #15
Jacksonlll
Senior Member
 
Jacksonlll's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC
Posts: 1,686
Send a message via ICQ to Jacksonlll
Default Re: Head Removal

As you are taking it off or putting it on, be sure to use small blocks or sticks when you get it up a little. They can slam down and pinch your fingers.
Jacksonlll is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2018, 10:17 AM   #16
denniskliesen
Senior Member
 
denniskliesen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: SoCal
Posts: 877
Default Re: Head Removal

Quote:
Originally Posted by daveymc29 View Post
Chuck Sea Tac I agree 100%
Dave one of those was a silicone gasket that blew. What was the other?

I started reading your book.
denniskliesen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2018, 10:23 AM   #17
Charlie Stephens
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southern California
Posts: 7,017
Default Re: Head Removal

Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith True View Post
If it is correctly timed before you take it apart it can only go back together one way.It doesn't have a gear with multiple options like a modern car.
To expand a little. When you remove the distributer the shaft coming out the bottom of the distributer will have a tang that is off center and can only be replaced in one position.

Also they make a distributer puller if it is stuck.

Charlie Stephens
Charlie Stephens is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2018, 10:24 AM   #18
Terry, NJ
Senior Member
 
Terry, NJ's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Bucks Co, Pa
Posts: 3,740
Default Re: Head Removal

As a precaution, I would get the engine on number one cyl. TDC (Top Dead Center) as a starting point. Use the Timing pin, you'll see it down by the crankshaft pulley. Unscrew it and reverse it. When the engine is at TCD, Number1 compression stroke, it will fall into a dimple on the cam gear. Use the crank to bring it around, not the starter.
The hard part about removing the distributer (sometimes) is getting it out of the head. There is a 3/8 X 24set screw on the edge of the head between the exhaust manifold and the head that must be loosened and backed off first. Then the distributor must off lifted straight off for a 1/4" Do not try to rotate it! It is on a locating pin and has to be lifted off first. Once it's clear of the pin you can rotate it. The distributor body is cast iron and will crack if too much pressure is used. Squirt a lot of WD 40 or whatever your favorite bolt loosener is and let it penetrate say over night if the distributor is stuck. Just keep working it, it'll come!
Take a look at the crosspin slot on the distributor shaft. You'll notice it's slightly off center. This is so it can only go one way. Good luck!
Terry
Terry, NJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-06-2018, 12:48 PM   #19
Keith True
Senior Member
 
Keith True's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Epping N.H.
Posts: 2,969
Default Re: Head Removal

He is going to be working on the valves,so he will be turning the engine over quite a lot.I wouldn't waste any time getting it up to number one first for what he is doing.Those distributers are pretty delicate castings,so don't pry on it much.If you have to take the head off with the distributer still in it.It's much easier to drive it out from below.
Keith True is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2018, 07:19 AM   #20
Brendan
Senior Member
 
Brendan's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: At my kitchen table in Santa Rosa, Ca
Posts: 2,902
Default Re: Head Removal

Quote:
Originally Posted by George Miller View Post
The dist is the easy part. Getting the head off and not breaking studs, might be the hard part.
yup and it the studs are not rusted to the head. it took me 3 weeks to take off my head it was rusted bad
__________________
If it would have been a snake it would have bit ya!

i can't spell my way out of a paper bag!
Brendan is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:46 PM.