Freeing a cylinder head stuck to the barrel

[John90]

I just bought a K Strada, in blue (so 1980 to 1983 I assume). Nice bike but needs some TLC. Carbs and ignition coils missing. I have removed the head nuts and tappet assembly. The front piston is stuck (seized) in its bore. Also both heads are stuck to both barrels. It looks like gasket seal was used on the head gaskets.

Any ideas how to get the heads free off the barrels?

I have removed the front spark plug and left the piston crown soaking in WD40 for now.

[SoloFrenos]

Hi, I apologise if I'm teaching you to suck eggs,but have you removed the allen head bolt in the push rod tunnel?

Tony

[Ming]

Try using a proper release oil rather than WD40, which is actually a Water Displacer.
Alternatively try diesel or a mixture of ATF and acetone.

[Steve Brown]

Hi, I apologise if I'm teaching you to suck eggs,but have you removed the allen head bolt in the push rod tunnel?

Tony

My thoughts as well! It is easily overlooked and plenty of people make that mistake.

I'd second the comment about diesel or proper releasing/penetrating fluid too. Along with a little gentle persuasion with a wooden drift-Hammer handle etc.

[John90]

Thanks for the tips. The head problem was the allen head bolt in the pushrod tunnel!

I will try some diesel in there next. The bore looks quite good, and the piston is seized at the bottom end.

[EVguru]

If need be you can unscrew the barrel studs so that you can split the cases with the piston still in the barrel. Much easier to free the piston with the barrel on the bench.

[John90]

Thanks for the tips. The cylinder has now been left filled with diesel. I have ordered a flywheel puller in case I need to remove the studs and split the cases. The exhaust down pipes have been sawn off about 3" from each cylinder by a previous owner, presumably the castled retainers are seized in the head too (they have drift marks on them). I now plan to stand the heads at an angle and try filling the exhaust ports with diesel too, and then just leave the bike on one side for a while.

[John90]

Thanks for the tips. The cylinder has now been left filled with diesel. I have ordered a flywheel puller in case I need to remove the studs and split the cases. The exhaust down pipes have been sawn off about 3" from each cylinder by a previous owner, presumably the castled retainers are seized in the head too (they have drift marks on them). I now plan to stand the heads at an angle and try filling the exhaust ports with diesel too, and then just put the bike to one side for a while.