rod bearing caps

I finally got the rod nuts loosened, but seperating the cap off the rod bolt is an issue. I'm hesitant to beat on it with a BFH until I know where to strike. Thought about prying - nope. Help, please!

I put my rods in a vice with rubber jaws and then kept pulling on the cap with my bare hands untill it came loose.

Greg, thsy are in the car. I just put vice grips on one out/off the parts car and it is not on any mating surface. I think this will work - I hope, am going sslloowww!

What about using vice grips on the center with them only touching the sides of the cap, then using a slide hammer with hook attached to the vice grips? Hopefully one of the old pros will weigh in.

A google search turned up an article on small block chevys that said to tap the side of the cap with a soft hammer as you pull on it.

If it is the rod caps, you may be able to tap *gently* with an epoxy mallet on the rod bolts. That will force the piston up slightly and free the cap.

Wiggle, tug, tap lightly. The bolts seem to flare apart a bit and stick on the inside of the cap's holes.

I'm a big fan of the rubber dead blow hammer, loosens things up without as much worry of damage.

On a MGB, I would too suggest tapping against the rod bolts end with a plastic dead blow hammer, MGB later model straight rods bolts go in fairly tight, so very little chance of this knocking the rod bolt out. make sure when you do the rods are at the bottom of the stroke though.

Thanks guys. I used vice grips on the cap end and wiggled, making sure not to touch the crank. Crank journals look good, no pitting, gouges. There isn't any stamping on the bearings nor the pistons. I don't think this engine has ever been into.