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Posted By Discussion Topic: Need To Replace Head Gaskets On '39 Deluxe... -- page: 1 2     39Fordfan 05-05-2021 @ 4:22 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 191 Joined: Oct 2009 So the good news is that I got all of the nuts off without breaking any studs. But now I have two problems... 1) I can not get the heads off of the block. It's almost as if they are welded on. I have definitely not tried to do any sort of prying or hammering. Is there some sort of head puller device that can safely be used to get the heads up off of the block? 2) The temperature sensor on the driver's side head is stuck in the head. I was able to unscrew the large cap nut with the hole in it, but the brass sensor remains stuck in the head. It's in there so tight that I think someone glued it in because the big nut certainly isn't holding it in now. I put a heavy dose of Deep Creep on it and gently tried to push it up with a large bent screw driver but it's still stuck in there. I took a couple of pictures of it for you. Any thoughts? Thanks! carcrazy 05-05-2021 @ 7:37 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1587 Joined: Oct 2009 To get the heads off of the block, put nuts on at least two of the studs very loosely (thread them on only a couple of turns), put the spark plugs back in the heads and crank the engine over with the starter motor. The compression in the cylinders should pop the heads free. If this doesn't work, as a last resort, you can attempt to start the engine with the ignition turned on. If the heads still won't pop free, soak them at the joint between the head and the block with PB Blaster and let them soak overnight and try the above procedure tomorrow. TomO 05-06-2021 @ 5:29 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7243 Joined: Oct 2009 You can try using vinegar to dissolve the calcium deposits holding the temperature sensor in the head.. You may have to add the solution several times to loosen the sensor. If that doesn't work try Evaporust, their site says it doesn't hurt brass. Tom 40 Coupe 05-07-2021 @ 4:45 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1646 Joined: Oct 2009 The threads in the head are NPT, the threads on the compression nut on the gauge are standard machine thread. I am surprised there was not a coolant leak! If there was someone may have used some type of glue to get it to seal??? Suggest you use a tool through the larger radiator hose connection point to see if you can get the gauge bulb it to loosen. and then remove it. When reinstalling Ford had a special fitting for this exact purpose. I think Third Gen Auto or NAPA may have the brass fitting. 39Fordfan 05-08-2021 @ 10:21 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 191 Joined: Oct 2009 Thank-you, TomO. I put a lot of Deep Creep on it and wiggled it out the next day. It was definitely JB Welded in. The threads on the head were stripped... 39Fordfan 05-08-2021 @ 10:26 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 191 Joined: Oct 2009 40 Coupe, Good to know what kind of threads that were in the head because the one on the driver's side was stripped out and they used JB Weld to hold the sensor in. It worked good with no leaks. I soaked overnight with Deep Creep and wiggled it out the next day. I'm not sure what the best fix is going to be when I put it back together? What would you suggest? TomO 05-09-2021 @ 9:47 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7243 Joined: Oct 2009 If the threads are butchered, I would place a want ad for a correct head. If they used JB Weld because they did not have the correct fitting, just clean the threads and get the correct fitting. Tom 39Fordfan 05-13-2021 @ 12:02 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 191 Joined: Oct 2009 Hi TomO, Thank-you for your reply. Little Dearborn has an adaptor, apparently for this application. As I understand it, in 1940 Ford went to an electric temperature gauge sensor and made an adaptor to interface a 1940 style electric gauge port with a 1939 style brass-gauge sensor port. It's certainly worth a try since I struck out in locating a new head, unless of course going to the Edelbrock heads for $720 per side, which I don't want to do for this car. I'll probably keep looking and place an Ad. as you mentioned though for the next project...

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