VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc Lifting a 235 cylinder head

While the engine block is still in the vehicle, is it possible for 2 people to drop an 80 pound cylinder head onto the block? Seems that would be very difficult task with each person standing on the side of the vehicle. (distance from block appears too great). Any ideas?
Thanks,
Regards

I suggest renting or borrowing a cherry picker (engine hoist). If you attempt it by hand, there's a good opportunity for a pulled muscle or back problem.

I also suggest screwing in a couple of long bolts (with the heads cut off) into the block to act as guides for the head gasket and to bring the head down in the correct place easily.

Be safe and enjoy the process! Dean

I agree with Rustoholic.

While having a helper makes it MUCH easier I have done it on my own but did use the bolts with a screwdriver slot as Rustoholic suggested, I set them 1 at each end.
Tony

I agree with using some type of guide pin or stud.

If you have two people you can use a 2x4 about 6’ long and a piece of chain the lift the head into place. Each person will be on a side of the car. It saves your back compared to reaching over the fenders and into the engine compartment.

I have used this technique to remove a Subaru engine. My guess is that whole engine assembly weighed only a little more than the Chevy head!

agree cherry picker is right way to do it, and first time i removed the head i did it alone with block in my 1929 no picker. going back on was easier, as the block was on the engine stand :) and use the guide pins, also make sure they are longer than the block is thick or you may have an issue, and i know on the 1929 in the repair manual it actually tells you WHERE to put the guide pins when installing head :)

On
My 38 Master I used the cherry picker. On my truck I made a padded support area on the fender and placed the head on it. Then I climbed under the hood, stood on the frame, one foot on each side and lifted the head on. At the at time I didn’t have the lift.

My goodness.

While the bolt guides are a good idea the cherry picker is not needed. Here's how to do it. Read on.

a. With the guides in place drop the gasket on the block with right-side up.

b. Have two stupid but hefty friends standing by.

c. Crawl up into the engine compartment and sit on the radiator facing the cowl..

d. Have the two musculer friends hand you the head. You help too.

e. With the head over the bolts, let it slide down.

Mercy! Just man up here. A cherry picker my a,,! Besides it's too much trouble.

Give the two friends a buck apiece.

You're welcome.

Best,

Charlie

It seems to me that with two hands supporting the head, another hand is needed to guid the rocker oil feed up through the head,