So I've been trying to take the head off and I ran into some trouble. Is there a special tool needed to take the head off or am I just retarded?

 

You are probably retarded.

The bond between the head and the block can be surprisingly strong. Sometimes the head will just pop right off, other times you've got to really work at it. The first time I did mine, I was seriously considering lowering the car down on a jack with a 2x4 wedged between the intake manifold and the floor to pop it free. Just before it came to that, I manned up and gave it a good solid jerk, which popped it free.

But to answer your question directly, no. Having removed the ten bolts which hold the head to the block, there is nothing more for it than to life the head free. Actually lifting it up and carrying it to the workbench is best done as a two-person job.

 

Delhole, why don't you start over with exactly what you've done so far to get the head off and we'll let you know if there's anything else. You'd be surprised how many people think the shiny bolts holding the valve cover on are all that's needed to take the head off.

Give us more information and we can help better.

What Joe said is proabably your problem, but you really didn't say anything that was helpful for us to diagnose where you might have gone wrong.

 

Don't be afraid to yank yer head hard to get it off.

 

If you are trying to take the head off without removing the intake manifold (which is easy to do), make sure to remove the brace that connects the intake manifold to the block.
I really wonder how many people overlook that piece...

lol @ Ben.

 

Well, the Valve cover is off and the ten bolts are out and the exhaust mani is off. RotorNut I'm not to sure about that brace thingy...probably still on there and then I am retarded. Either that or I'm just not yankin' hard enough.

 

If you didn't take the intake manifold off, then the support brace is likely still on there. IIRC it's three 14mm bolts.

 

(2) 12mm

 

Wale on the side of the head with a BIG rubber mallet; and by that I mean hit it as hard as you can while still controlling the malet. Don't be stupid and hit near anything that can be busted, but after a few - or perhaps more than a few - wacks the shock from the rubber mallet will begin to break the adhesion between the block and head and you'll hear a change in the tone of the mallet blows. After that a few more gentle hits and you'll be able to pull the head free without a problem. This also works great on oil pans.

 

Stand on the passenger side and try to take the oil filter off. Is there a aluminum bar in the way? If so thats your problem remove it. If not swing away...

 

Way to repeat information already covered. lol

 

Reading is not my strong point. lol

 

Sweet. I'm gonna give all that stuff a shot tomorrow morning. Thanks for all the help fellas. I'll let you know how it turns out.

 

I was thinking BPD, which has three. My apologies.

 

Got it off. thanks for all the help guys. Look at this nastyness.

 

Sorry for shitty phone pic...