**help**removing 2 Litre Pinto Head

[mk2_1979_escort]

Gday guys,

Long time since last post but anyway...

I just got my hands on a an old 2L from a cortina. It needs a rebuild BUT when i took the rocker cover off so i could seperate head from block, I found i didint have the right tool to undo the 10 bolts holding them together (head 2 block), IVE NEVER SEEN THEM BEFORE. they are about 1/2inch in diameter or 13mm and they are star shaped but with many more ridges

: ANYADVICE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED I NEED THIS HEAD OFF!!!

Please name tools etc

Cheers

[rag top]

Have a look here:
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=75084

[whooligan]

Make sure you use the exact Torx socket otherwise you'll with mess up the bolt face and have to do what I did - buy a extraction kit and have to tap and drill the bolts out. Use a torque wrench to loosen off the bolts first....It will save a lot of swearing later on.

[mk2_1979_escort]

Thanks for the help so far guys

I managed to get the spline/tork key ($30 from coventrys) and got the bolts out no problem. But do i now have to remove the 2 X Hex bolts in the centre of the head (underneath where the cam sits) in order to remove the head. I tried give the head a tap with a rubber mallet with just the 10 torque bolts out, but it wouldnt budge.

If so what size hex key do I need, the biggest i have is 10mm...

Cheers,
James

:

[buickman]

I have a Torx bit here which I might put on EBay from when I had my Escort.
All the head bolts are the same so if the head has been on for a long time you might have to use a bit more force to break the head of the block I've even used large screw drivers to make heads come off. The biggest problem I had with my Escort 2ltre was trying to refit the gearbox after clutch replacement for some reason I found the tranny tunnel to small to fit it back in had to hammer around the tunnel to make room.

[mk2_1979_escort]

Just used a bit of force and managed to knock the head of the block. Suprisingly the bores and valves are relatively clean.

I am now concentrating on removing the bottom end. Anyone know if i can just undo all the main bearing bolts and remove the crank shaft with all pistons and rods still attached ?? Havent done much work on bottom end before.

Cheers :

[thisisxhcountry]

Unfortunately you can't pull the crank out with rods and pistons attached the design of the block stops the pistons from coming through the bottom. (I only just pulled mine out on sunday). The easiest way is if the engine is on a stand, turn it upside-down, loosen off the nuts on the bottom of the rods then remove the nuts completely with one hand while using your other to make sure the piston doesnt fall out the bottom. The pistom shouldnt fall out but theres always a chance. once the pistons and rods are out, the crank lifts straight out.