Work involved in replacing a front cylinder head on a 1946 Chief

[sunnybamrah]

Hello fellow members,

How much work is involved in replacing a front cylinder head on a 1946 Indian Chief? Is it as simple as removing gas tanks, removing the 8 bolts that hold down the head and swapping it out for a new one?

or

Does it involve more work to remove exhaust, motor mounts to lower the motor enough to have clearance to take the head off?

Thanks,
Regards,
Sunny.

[Sargehere]

After removing the top motor mount between the heads, Flatheads slide right off, if you are using bolts, not studs. Just insure that your cylinder head gasket is in good shape and torque it down properly, and re-torque it after heating the motor up once or twice. Couldn't be simpler.

[tfburke3]

I just pulled the front head on my 47 chief,thinking I could do a quick ex.valve lap to solve low compression.
The front head comes off without removing the upper motor supprort which requires manifold and carb removal.
But after seeing the bore I now have everything off anyway for an upper end freshining.
Tom

[sunnybamrah]

Gerry,

Thanks for the quick response. Bought a composite gasket to be on the safer side .

Regards,
Sunny.

[phillie]

The james gaskets are great. I have had no issues at all.

[sunnybamrah]

Tom,

So all I need to do is get the 8 bolts on the top of the head off and it should slide right off? My motor was re-built by the previous owner recently, only reason I am changing the head is the insert job was done very poorly, causing a slight leak where the spark plug goes in. Figured might as well replace the head to take care of it and re-build the leaky head at some point if it is an original one and worth saving.

Regards,
Sunny.

[cdf6333]

Actually, 9 head bolts and the 2 top motor mount to frame bolts too. Might be easier to have someone involved in machining look at the insert when the tanks are off. Possibly could be repaired on the bike.
Bob

[tfburke3]

Actually, 9 head bolts and the 2 top motor mount to frame bolts too. Might be easier to have someone involved in machining look at the insert when the tanks are off. Possibly could be repaired on the bike.
Bob

No need to remove the motor mount or its two bolts to slide off the front head.
tom

[cdf6333]

Hey Tom
But you'll never get it back on without removing the top bolts. There should be a fair amount of tension in it against the head.
Bob
I'd attempt a R&R on the insert before removing the head. If you can find a 14MM x 1.25 bolt and nut, I'd "double nut" it against the insert and see if the insert comes out. The cylinder would be a nice head holder to, right?
Bob

[sunnybamrah]

Bob,

Thanks for the clarification. The problem is the previous person who worked on the insert hacked the center on the cylinder head around the insert. Unless I use a very thick insert that covers the entire hacked area, I am afraid I will always have a compression leak since the spark plug won't sit flat. Yesterday I was able to get the insert to fit a little tighter and use a solid copper crush washer to fit in the gap between the top of the head and start of the insert. Need to start her up to see if this helps alleviate the problem a bit. Eventually will need to have the head replaced and see if the old head can be repaired.

Regards,
Sunny.

[cdf6333]

I'm a little confused about where it's leaking. At the top of the insert where the plug gasket seals? or around the insert?
I used to have a tool which screwed into the plug threads and "milled" a flat area for the gasket. It had a post sticking up which a cutter rested on to cut 90 degrees to it.
If the insert is leaking, I'd try to remove it and epoxy it back in. That also would be a semi-permanent repair.
Bob

[sunnybamrah]

Hi Bob,

I am guessing it is from around the insert, so might need to try the epoxy solution. The insert did keep coming lose and the spark plug did sit tight on the insert. Sorry for the confusion .

Regards,
Sunny.

[cdf6333]

Get an old spark plug. Anti-seize the threads and put an insert on. Tighten the crap out of the insert, ideally into a hot cylinder head with loctite on the insert. Let it sit overnight and then use an impact gun to remove the plug, impact will remove the plug leaving the insert. Plugs last so long on Indians that this will be a very long term repair. Wait till you wear the engine out for all the little stuff.

[sunnybamrah]

Bob,

Thanks for the suggestion worked using the old insert itself. Was able to get it deeper and tight. While putting the spark plug back in used a solid copper crush washer that sits well in the hacked area of the cylinder head. Holding off replacing the head for now :-).

Regards,
Sunny.