Why wont my head come off

Is it alright to put the head w/cam and all in a parts washer? Also, cylkinder 1 and 4 are at tdc but cyclinder 2 has the intake valve open a little bit and 3 has the exhaust valve open a little bit, should I loosen the retainer nut until these close?

Is that the motor you just put in? To clean it use a a gasket scraper and a shop vac to clean up. Be carefull not to drop to much down on the pistons if stuff gets down beside the piston it will scratch the walls when you start it back up. If you have that head off take it to a shop and have them clean it and check the deck...if it was me i would have them take a clean up pass on it before putting it back on. If it was me after i got it back all clean i would hand lap the valves back in and put new seals on.

Yea I just put that engine in. Im working on replacing the seals now. I have to buy a spring compressor tomorrow then Ill take all the springs out then clean it all up then put new valve stem seals on upon reassembly. How much would it cost to have a shop look at it and deck it and shit? What is hand lap?

Talk to some friends on the shop deal find a place that wont bend you over to do the work... but i would think for under $100 you could get it done and the head would be true again. Hand lap is using a very small amount of lapping compond for valves to take and bad spots out. You get this funny looking tool that has a wood handle and 2 suction cups on each end. Take all the springs off keep them in order also keep the valves in order then one at a time put a very small amount of compond on the valve slide it back in and stick the suction cup on the end and spin in against the seat to clean up the valve surface. It will help the valves seal better and its cheap.

Did you pull the head just to do the seals?

I pulled the head to change the gasket and decided to do the seals as well. Steam was coming from the exhaust when I finally got the bitch started. Where can I get a hand lapping kit? What would the shop do if I took it to them?

Unless you got a buddy that works at a shop i would not let then do a "valve job" it will cost you more than a reman head off ebay. Most parts stores have the tool its like around $12 and the compound maybe $15 If you take the head in min work would be check for cracks and surface the deck.

this is where i ALWAYS pry to get the head off. If not pry, tap it with a short mall and it'll come loose. That corner is an INSTANT release button, lol.

thanks dood but ur about 10 posts too late

they would put the head in a tank with a solution to clean it,then inspect it for cracks,then true it by running it over a mill to be sure it is square.Good idea to do that.BJ

make damn sure it doesnt have cracks, or that its 100% straight. And the naked eye will never see either if its slight enough.