Triumph Vitesse head removal

[Puglet1]

I’m about to remove the cylinder head from my 1970 Vitesse.
They are renowned for the cylinder head studs seizing into the head which makes head removal difficult.
Can anyone recommend an anti seizure solution that I can try to dribble between the two surfaces to break the corrosion?
Any other suggestions prior to removal are also appreciated.
Pete.

 

[Wildefalcon]

Acetone and atf.

 

[Puglet1]

Do you mean Acetone OR ATF?
Or do you mean a mixture of the two?

 

[badabec]

Mixture of the two, 50:50

 

[Smallfry]

I have had a couple of Vitesse, and had no problem at all getting the heads off. apart from the weight and keeping it square on the studs.

 

[Puglet1]

Small fry. Fingers crossed I hope I’m as lucky as you were.

 

[Smallfry]

Small fry. Fingers crossed I hope I’m as lucky as you were.

Good thing about them, is that you can stand right in there with it, to take the weight, rather than leaning over front wings. The heads are quite heavy, so it will be handy to have someone standing by to pass it to, or you can rest it on one of the front wheels

 

[indy4x]

I have had a couple of Vitesse, and had no problem at all getting the heads off. apart from the weight and keeping it square on the studs.

Same here, well, not just the Vitesse but also GT6, 2000 and 2500 saloons and a TR5

Last one was circa 30yrs ago so corrosion may well be an issue now

And yes they are heavy lumps

 

[Melvyn Best]

I had problems with a Triumph 2000 head years ago, the same engine. Removed everything but couldn’t lift the head , soaked all of the studs and still couldn’t ., in the end I attached a block and tackle to the head and lifted the front of the car so the tyres only just touched the ground then left the car overnight . Next morning the head had shifted slightly allowing me to get it off.

 

[Smallfry]

Same here, well, not just the Vitesse but also GT6, 2000 and 2500 saloons and a TR5

Last one was circa 30yrs ago so corrosion may well be an issue now

And yes they are heavy lumps

Mine was in the early to mid nineties too. Yes 30 years ago only seems like a couple of years ago ! Yes I guess corrosion could now be an issue if the thing has been unused for some years.

Which reminds me, at the moment I am working on an MGB engine to go in my Wolseley 1500, and getting the head off of that was a fight. Same thing, studs, not bolts. Turned out that some previous owner had put threadlock (I assume) on the studs, but managed to get a lot of it on the unthread shank, which then set. Managed to get it off in the end, but new studs required.

 

[ajlelectronics]

I had problems with a Triumph 2000 head years ago, the same engine. Removed everything but couldn’t lift the head , soaked all of the studs and still couldn’t ., in the end I attached a block and tackle to the head and lifted the front of the car so the tyres only just touched the ground then left the car overnight . Next morning the head had shifted slightly allowing me to get it off.

That is how I used to remove Reliant heads too.

 

[Cal]

Way back when, Dad had a Triumph 2000. We had many happy days out in that car, 8 kids in the back, no seat belts.
To break the seal, Dad loosened the bolts, then started the engine, then the head came off easily.
I was about seven. My job was to remove and replace the collets.
Loved that car.

Off to EBay

 

[Wallace]

To break the seal, Dad loosened the bolts, then started the engine, then the head came off easily.
I was about seven. My job was to remove and replace the collets.

Thought you were going to say your job was to catch the cylinder head after he started it!

 

[dave h 2]

Should be OK as long as the gasket hasn't gone, if it has

 

[OJCar]

Handraulicly operated thin walled tubular cutter,
just fits over the head stud.
Use plenty lube and patience.

 

[Puglet1]

View attachment 476561

Handraulicly operated thin walled tubular cutter,
just fits over the head stud.
Use plenty lube and patience.

View attachment 476562

I haven’t seen anything like that before, I’ll have a look on the internet later.

 

[Puglet1]

ALL .Thank you for your support.

The head is now off !
I soaked the head studs with plus gas over the past few days and tapped the studs from side to side. I was then able to lie underneath the car and hit a small protruding part of the cylinder head flange in an upward direction.
After a few taps it shifted !
All I can say is Luck was definitely on my side .

 

[addjunkie]

ALL .Thank you for your support.

The head is now off !
I soaked the head studs with plus gas over the past few days and tapped the studs from side to side. I was then able to lie underneath the car and hit a small protruding part of the cylinder head flange in an upward direction.
After a few taps it shifted !
All I can say is Luck was definitely on my side .

Worst case, lift the engine out, sump off pistons rods etc out. And brute force from below

 

[bainzy]

Way back when, Dad had a Triumph 2000. We had many happy days out in that car, 8 kids in the back, no seat belts.
To break the seal, Dad loosened the bolts, then started the engine, then the head came off easily.
I was about seven. My job was to remove and replace the collets.
Loved that car.

Off to EBay

This is the way. Did this last year on a TR6 cylinder head (same engine more or less). Soak the seized head studs for a few days, then turn the engine over with the plugs in - can be done by hand without starting the engine. The compression pushes it up and breaks the seal.

It's still a pain getting it off as I think the weight and shape of it just makes it difficult. One has to the temptation to lever it with sharp implements, particularly on the distributor side as its easy to cause/worsen oil leaks by scratching the mating face.

 

[RWD3M]

This is the way. Did this last year on a TR6 cylinder head (same engine more or less). Soak the seized head studs for a few days, then turn the engine over with the plugs in - can be done by hand without starting the engine. The compression pushes it up and breaks the seal.

It's still a pain getting it off as I think the weight and shape of it just makes it difficult. One has to the temptation to lever it with sharp implements, particularly on the distributor side as its easy to cause/worsen oil leaks by scratching the mating face.

I'm sure I've seen your avatar somewhere before!