Topic: removing cylinder head from block???

[griff6-5-zero]

I can't get this !@#$ing thing apart. Does anyone know a trick? The cylinder block is loose, the head will not budge of the block.

[mkramer1121]

Did you remove the 4 bolts along the center of the head?  They're 10MM w/ a phillips head as well...Just saying 'cause I didn't on the old heads....

[griff6-5-zero]

I actually took them both off now. They're still together, but may be easier to get them apart now that their off. We'll see!!!

[Jonesy]

What year and what model? Later ones had little slots milled into the joints so a prying tool could be inserted, easing the removal.

[griff6-5-zero]

Its a 80 cb650. She does have those slots and I've tried prying. I just don't want to brake MORE heat fins. Is there any type of chemical to soften the gasket?

[clarkjh]

Does it have the two bolts in the middle? One in front of the cam chain and one in the back.  Ether that or the PO glued in on

James

[griff6-5-zero]

James- I'm pretty much have never worked on an engine. (do or die) I'm following the shop manual    I did remove those bolts. I ended up removing the cylinder head and block as one. Just need to get them apart now.

[clarkjh]

First time I had mine apart the two where glued together, took a BIG screwdriver to get them to separate.  Literally split the head gasket in two pieces, bits on both.  Have them checked for flatness when you do get them apart, will say you headaches.

James

[jandrea]

I went through this very recently.  I was lucky enough to get away with breaking off only a very small corner of one fin.  What worked excellent for me finally...was when i found a short piece of 1X3 rough cedar in the garage...i lad this the long, flat  way across the fins on the block...and used a rubber mallet to gently pound the cedar against  the  fins so that the fins would sink right into the soft cedar with the grain and along the whole length of  the block.  once i had the board very firmly stuck to the block, then i was free to whack even hard on the cedar board with the mallet.  Not sure how you will secure the loose stack of the head AND the block though. 

This sounds like one of those typical snafu's that i would run into....good luck.

[Ricky_Racer]

Hi.  Rather than trying to muscle these parts, you might consider taking the assembly down to your local radiator shop and having the parts soaked in their hot tank.  Perhaps that will loosen the gasket.  Mind you, I haven't had to try this but it makes sense...   RR

[griff6-5-zero]

My father-in-law (flat rate mechanic for 20 years) came over and showed us young bucks up. He had it apart in 5 minutes. Basically just tapped around the gasket....

[francisew]

Last year I had similar issues, but I just used a rubber mallet to tap (perhaps a bit understated) the edges of the cylinder head cover for a few minutes. After that it was loose enough to pry off. It doesn't help much when the alignment pins between the cylinder head cover and the cylinder head are rusted together. 

Anyhow, it's probably worth trying with some kind of solvent/degreaser, and with WD-40 before banging on things... I'd not sure, but I would think that using a big screw driver to try to pry surfaces that should fit tightly is a big no-no. I hope you didn't scratch the sealing surfaces too badly. Good to hear you finally got it apart!

My 0.02$.

Francis