Series Land Rover - Cylinder Head Removal

The Series Land Rover has good access to the engine in a large engine bay, and for the 2.25litre engine at least, it is possible for one person to remove the cylinder head without the use of a hoist or other lifting equipment. However, Series Land Rover cylinder heads are not light items, and for the health of your back, the inlet and exhaust manifolds should be removed first and your feet have to be placed firmly inside the engine bay whilst you straddle the engine prior to lifting. Best to get help or use a hoist.
There is no need to remove the bonnet, but it should be disconnected from its hinged support at the front and safely tied back. As with all work under the bonnet, it is safest to disconnect the earth terminal on the battery to prevent an accidental short to earth.
If using a hoist, the exhaust pipe should be disconnected from the inlet manifold but the manifolds themselves can be left attached. If the original oil bath air filter is fitted then the air breather tube should be removed along with any associated breather tubes.
Vacuum pipes for distributor (petrol engine) and brake servo should be removed. For a diesel engine, remove the fuel injectors. All electrical connections to the cylinder head such as heater plug (diesel) and temperature sender unit etc should be disconnected.
The cooling system should be drained and the top radiator hose
and by-pass hose loosened. If a heater is fitted then the heater hoses should be disconnected.
The oil feed pipe from the rear of the block to the cylinder head should be removed.
Now the rocker cover can be removed. The nuts holding the rocker shaft in position can be undone and the rocker shaft carefully removed so that the shaft springs do not
push the shaft assembly apart.
After removing the pushrods, and keeping them in the same order, the cylinder head bolts can be undone half a turn at a time starting from the outer ends of the cylinder head and working inwards. The head can then be removed. If it is stubborn hit it sideways with a hammer using a piece of wood to cushion the blow.

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