Cylinder Head Removal

[gdaybruce]

I’m getting myself organised to change the cam belt and also to lift the head to change the seals on the valve stems. I’ve been reading up on these jobs in both the Haynes manual and also in Rod’s Enthusiast’s Manual and when it comes to removing the head they seem to be taking different approaches. The Haynes procedure is to detach the inlet manifold first, which is what I’d expect, but Rod appears to be leaving it attached so that it comes off with the head.

Has anyone any experience and recommendations on this? One thought is that with the inlet manifold still attached to the head, it might not be possible to use the valve spring compressor so the manifold might need to come off anyway (but probably an easier job once off the car).

Two other questions while I’m at it:

• If detaching the exhaust manifold from the head, is it necessary to separate the manifold from the down pipe or is that one set of corroded nuts and bolts I can leave well alone?
• When removing the radiator, can I leave the fans attached or is it necessary (or simply easier) to remove the fans first?

Thanks for you help!

[snotrag]

My first point would be to go with Rods manual - its brilliant, and I turst his advice more than any Haynes manual.

Fans detach from the radiator really eaily - ISTR removing them when I did my belt.

As for the Manifold - Yes, you will have to in order to get it off. I would suggest that undoing it at the bottom of the downpipe might be easier?

I removed mine last week, however my aftermarket 421 manifold was the size of the manifold and downpipe in one. I unbolted it at the Cat, and it all slides out in one piece, giving plenty of room. Bear in mind theres a clamp/bracket onto the side of the bellhousing, just a bog standard U-shape exhaust clamp on a metal bracket.