• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

1978 Suzuki gs550 Difficult to remove cylinder head

  • Thread starter Thread starter linguini
  • Start date Start date
No I haven't heard of feeding rope into the cylinders, but do you think of removing the nuts from the cylinder studs and chucking about 120 P.S.I into a couple four cylinders set on t.d.c. with the valves closed? Might try that myself someday.
 
The head is still stuck fast. I tried the rope trick, but nothing. I am running out of patience, but do not feel like giving up yet... If I ever get this head off, it will be party time. There is not enough purchase on anything to get it off. I'll have a go if I can get my act together with the studs. In the mean time thanks to all, any more ideas ? keep them coming.
 
The head is still stuck fast. I tried the rope trick, but nothing. I am running out of patience, but do not feel like giving up yet... If I ever get this head off, it will be party time. There is not enough purchase on anything to get it off. I'll have a go if I can get my act together with the studs. In the mean time thanks to all, any more ideas ? keep them coming.

There is a 10mm bolt on the head between the #2 and #3 exhaust that must be removed. You can only see the bolt head if you're laying on your back on the floor, with your head between the 2 and 3 header pipes and looking up. do you have that bolt removed?
 
This bolt has been mentioned before, but it seems mine does not have this. Maybe some of these engines were different. Thanks
 
I had a similar challenge getting a stuck rotor off recently. I would suggest slowly going around the head, top and bottom, with a good flashlight. Either find the hidden bolt or know for absolute certainty there isn't one. Get a chunk of 2x4, 4 or 5 feet long and find a place where you can wedge it between the head a someplace solid. Someone suggested the intakes. Give it a couple sharp lifts. Watch for potential damage to what you're prying on as well as against. Don't give up.
Good luck
Rich
 
There is a 10mm bolt on the head between the #2 and #3 exhaust that must be removed.
Earl might have a 10mm bolt on his Bandit, but those of us with mere GSes only have a 6mm bolt there, and not all GSes have it (as noted).

Yes, it might need a 10mm spanner, Earl, but the diameter of the bolt is only 6mm.

.
 
Its been emotional ! The head is off.
I had soaked the head constantly with WD40, and earlier today during endless smashing of my club hammer on a sturdy lump of wood I pulled on the head and I saw movement, I could hardly believe it.
Another 40 minutes passed before I finally worked out that one of the centre cylinder head studs was stopping me making progress. So a bit of directional hitting did the job and off it came. The Barrels had movement but now I could remove the offending stud, and in so doing, the barrels slipped off.
I have to say this was a challenge, the studs had corroded and I can see that they are exposed in the head so with our crap weather in the UK there had been plenty of contamination. Now that the head is finally off I am pleasantly surprised to see what great condition the motor is in, I do hope things are more smooth from now on.
Thankyou to you all, I felt I needed to complete the job for you guys ! Seriously.
 
Earl might have a 10mm bolt on his Bandit, but those of us with mere GSes only have a 6mm bolt there, and not all GSes have it (as noted).

Yes, it might need a 10mm spanner, Earl, but the diameter of the bolt is only 6mm.

.

I actually was referring to the size wrench needed to remove it. Wasn't thinking about the true diameter of the bolt itself. LOL I've never had a GS that didn't have that bolt, but then, I haven't had all models. hehe
 
I actually was referring to the size wrench needed to remove it. Wasn't thinking about the true diameter of the bolt itself. LOL I've never had a GS that didn't have that bolt, but then, I haven't had all models. hehe

Yeah, just trying to clear any possible confusion. Some people refer to the wrench size, other refer to the actual bolt diameter. The "new guys" might not know which one is meant.

.
 
Last edited:
Much worse than any perceived bad apple is someone that lives to see themselves comment in virtually every thread.
Can anyone imagine the inhuman torture of sharing the same house/apartment with such a person???

BTW Earl, all of us knew what you meant as described without some "help" ;)





Someone on this forum actually believes (there are many persons that spend many years in college learning how to treat that BTW)
that everyone is waiting on the edge of their seats for "the fat lady to sing" or a comment from this GOD before the question is answered. :sorrow:

Why are you still here?
 
Its been emotional ! The head is off.
I had soaked the head constantly with WD40, and earlier today during endless smashing of my club hammer on a sturdy lump of wood I pulled on the head and I saw movement, I could hardly believe it.
Another 40 minutes passed before I finally worked out that one of the centre cylinder head studs was stopping me making progress. So a bit of directional hitting did the job and off it came. The Barrels had movement but now I could remove the offending stud, and in so doing, the barrels slipped off.
I have to say this was a challenge, the studs had corroded and I can see that they are exposed in the head so with our crap weather in the UK there had been plenty of contamination. Now that the head is finally off I am pleasantly surprised to see what great condition the motor is in, I do hope things are more smooth from now on.
Thankyou to you all, I felt I needed to complete the job for you guys ! Seriously.

Humans 1 : 0 Cylinder Head
Is that a full time score :)
Fair play, persistance pays except for the times it breaks the fins off and cracks the inlet ports.
 
Yeah, just trying to clear any possible confusion. Some people refer to the wrench size, other refer to the actual bolt diamter. The "new guys" might not know which one is meant.
.

One never knows what someone else knows or doesn't and one could be talking to a new member with 20 years experience wrenching, or someone that has never owned a wrench before. LOL To my way of thinking, too much explanation is better than not enough and some may feel it is condescending, but it truly isn't from me.
 
I call the head size when reaching for tools but the diameter when buying. I have come across a few isolated cases where different heads were on the same diameter screw and a few more with different head and nut sizes on the same alternator clamp bolt:confused:
Maybe it's for folks who don't have two of each size spanner.
 
I call the head size when reaching for tools but the diameter when buying. I have come across a few isolated cases where different heads were on the same diameter screw and a few more with different head and nut sizes on the same alternator clamp bolt:confused:
Maybe it's for folks who don't have two of each size spanner.

The Japanese 12mm and 14mm spanner sizes spring to mind.
 
Back
Top