Clever way to pull M30 head??

[Robin-535im]

Pulling the head to see if the broken rocker arm caused any damage to the valves (long-term operation at too low a lift).

I've got the head unbolted and all the connections to it disconnected. It's ready to be lifted off along with the intake manifold.

That sucker is too heavy for me to do alone though... even with help I'm not sure of the easiest way to get it out of the car without a cherry picker.

Is it easier if I take off the hood? Is there a clever way anyone has worked out to lift the head out of the engine bay with 1 person - besides being a burly-man and just hefting it out?

Many thanks,

- Robin

[shogun]

Feel sorry for you, that you have to do it alone. Even someone who does not know anything about a car, is very helpful in assisting.
Just yesterday we did a valve body job and replaced in and out seals on an Alpina B12 5.0 with 4 persons.
Took us from 8 AM till 8 PM, even though we had a pit, a hydraulic trans lifter and other nice anemities.
Do yourselves a favour and by a cherry pick, for example Harborfreight has one on sale now.
One of the best investments in tools I have done last year
http://search.harborfreight.com/cpis...rane&Submit=Go

You will be happy to use it many times, and 2 good high ramps are also good for any under car job.

Good Luck, Robin

[genphreak]

If you don't have the inlet manifold on, it shouldn't be too hard to lift but it will be easy to drop. To avoid injury and damage you MUST have two people or a block and tackle. A 4wd recovery strap would help (cheap from an auto store too) if you have a beam overhead- can you not rig something up? Good luck...

Beware that the locating dowels are

a) only 5mm high and once off them the head will want to slip under gravity.
b) come out and are easy to lose.

The only way I know is with 2;
ie Working on either side to loosen it, then lifting and (with a handy lump of wood one can rest it whilst the helper runs around and helps you. Bonnet (hood) can thus stay on... np.

Nick

[Martin in Bellevue]

This is why I covet the I beam & chain hoist. Although, taking the intake off isn't that big a deal, even with my gorilla hands.

[Dash01]

I got my M30 head off without a hoist, and after unbolting the exhaust manifolds, the intake parts except for the alu. intake manifold, and the timing chain sprocket, etc..

After unbolting the relevant stuff, put pads on the fenders to protect the paint, then laid 2 2x6s flat across the engine bay, then lifted by hand while assistant slipped the boards under the head, then slid the head sideways to rest on the boards by the passenger side fender, then lifted the head by hand (not that heavy) onto waiting wood blocks. Don't lay it down on a flat surface, due to valves sticking down, which you don't want to damage or bend.

Installation in reverse order, but used a ladder and rope to lower it into place. Did not break the fragile chain guide, etc. or touch/bugger the valves, firewall fittings, etc.. It helps to have enough rope so the head hangs 12-18" below the ladder, so it has enough swing to manouever while the ladder is resting on your shoulders. Think: dead tiger hanging from pole carried by natives

This manual method was quicker and cheaper than going to all the time and expense of bringing a hoist to the jobsite, which was my driveway. If my garage had been available, I'd have screwed an eyebolt into a ceiling joist and rigged a pulley. Does your kid have a swingset? That would make a good hoist frame. Got a good shade tree?

[BimmerMeUp]

Does your kid have a swingset? That would make a good hoist frame. Got a good shade tree?

You beat me to it... I've done the swingset trick before, just be sure it's not too rusted...

[92E34]

I've got an idea, though politically incorrect, Go find some Mexicans to help you get it off. Two or three should do it.

P.S. I know I'm going to hell.

[Mr Project]

I did it by myself with the intake manifold on, and I'm hardly big or strong. I think with a helper and a couple blocks of wood so you can get it part way up and then 'take a break' while setting it on the wood, you'd be fine.

[Ross]

Did mine w/ in & ex manifolds. Climb in there and grunt a bit.

[535ise]

Take the inlet manifold off and it shouldn't be too heavy for one bloke to lift ?

You will ideally need some help to put it back on but it's not impossible on your own.