I have a 1972 Ford Thunderbird that I am fixing up. It's got a big old 429 in it that needs a head gasket replacement. However, I can't get the intake manifold to come loose. I got out all of the bolts, I tried the rubber mallet and block of wood trick, tried using a crowbar, tried spraying WD-40 and engine de-greaser around the seam, and it's still air-tight. Do any of you have a trick for getting it off?
Get an engine lift that is designed to bolt onto where you took the carb off.They are not very expensive,can get them anywhere.Its just a plate with the same bolt pattern as your carb,with a lifting eye made into it.Get an engine hoist,or if you have to a chain fall,center it it and slowly hoist up.If it doesnt come off right away,just keep applying a little more on the hoist.Let it sit like that for awhile,and apply a little more.It will come foo.
Any responsible dealership would have degreased and pressure cleaned your motor. I would be writing a letter to the workshop manager, the Dealer Principal of the car yard, and, if that fails to get you a good result, write to the manuacture of your car, and tell them how a dealership who represents them does its work and treats is customers. It should only take 10-15 minutes of driving with a horrid smell for the oil to burn off. I would phone your dealership and ask them to pay for your motor to be cleaned by a detailers. Then I would find another dealership. If they stuff up putting oil in, they cant be too competent.
Typical problem, you'll have the same problem with the head gaskets. You need to pry it free. The head gasket will be easy because you can use the intake port for leverage, but the intake can be hard to find a pry point. You need to find a spot to get some leverage with a pry bar, it's the only way. Probably gonna need a cheater bar to loosen the head bolts, they are tough to break free.
Tap a flat bladed screwdriver into the joint of the manifold base and the top of the block (where the end rail gasket is). This should break the seal and give you a lever to pry the manifold up with.........
richard is right, start driving a sharp screw driver at different places and just keep at it but change places often so as not to do damage in one spot. you do know the cast iron intake weighs a little over 100 pounds. you may need to use several screw drivers and leave them in place while driving one in another spot. don't give up!!
