Seized engine, Cannot remove barrels from crank case Options

[alungershausen]

Hi, first post ever. A friend at C&C told me to reach out. Heard this forum will help.

I bought a 1974 1.8 914 in March of 2025. It is now totally disassembled, and I am struggling with getting the engine taken apart. I cannot remove the cylinder heads, the flywheel does not turn, and the pistons do not move at all. In the last two months I tried, PB Blaster in the cylinders, also filled the case with it. I also filled the case with transmission oil and Marvel Mystery oil. Leaving it sitting for weeks on end, turning it every couple of days. I warmed up the engine with a heat gun, gently tapped the cylinder heads, also tapped the pistons. All with no success. It seems the cylinder heads are glued to the case, not one is moving. The former owner planned to replace the engine with a different one, but I am interested in bringing it back. When I drained the oil, I got about a quart of water (the car was in a field for 4 years) and a little bit of oil. Supposedly it ran 4 years ago.

I am planning to attach a lever to the flywheel next, but I don't want to damage the crankshaft. I have not tried a torch yet, not sure if it will damage the case. I am also hearing different places, either the bottom of the cylinders or the case to be warmed up with the torch. The cylinder head insides are pretty rusted and will need to be replaced anyway, but I am hoping that the crank case is still ok.

[Spoke]

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The heads should come off ok. Just make sure all bolts are removed.

If you're interested in rebuilding the engine I wouldn't try to spin the flywheel with a bar.

BTW, if the heads are still on, how did you tap the pistons? Or did you mean cylinders?

[alungershausen]

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The heads should come off ok. Just make sure all bolts are removed.

If you're interested in rebuilding the engine I wouldn't try to spin the flywheel with a bar.

BTW, if the heads are still on, how did you tap the pistons? Or did you mean cylinders?

Heads are off, sorry forgot to mention that. Tapping cylinders from the outside and trying to gently tap the pistons with a rubber mallet. No movement though. Will stay away from messing with the flywheel, thank you.

[Nogoodwithusernames]

For hitting the pistons shape a piece of 2x4 or 4x4 to fit inside the jug and give that a whack with a real hammer. I don't think a rubber mallet won't give enough shocking force.

Good advice regarding the torch as well, try to heat up the OD of the cylinders approximately where the rings are, that is probably what is seized to the cylinder as both are steel and can rust together.

Good luck!

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welcome.png)

The heads should come off ok. Just make sure all bolts are removed.

If you're interested in rebuilding the engine I wouldn't try to spin the flywheel with a bar.

BTW, if the heads are still on, how did you tap the pistons? Or did you mean cylinders?

Heads are off, sorry forgot to mention that. Tapping cylinders from the outside and trying to gently tap the pistons with a rubber mallet. No movement though. Will stay away from messing with the flywheel, thank you.