I'm seeking to remove/replace the cylinder head on my 1983 300CD-T (Calif.)'s OM617.952 engine (242,000 mi.).

Problem: I have been unsuccessful thus far at pulling the head off.

So far:
*All 22 of the 12-point head bolts have been successfully removed.
*All 4 of the 6mm hex bolts (two in the timing chain gallery and two exterior of the head near the front of the engine) have been successfully removed.
*The pipe between the block and the water pump at the front of the engine has been successfully removed.
*The intake and exhaust manifolds have been successfully removed.
*The turbo charger has been successfully removed.
*The cooling system hose on the glow plug side of the engine has been successfully removed from the head.
*All of the glow plugs have had their power wires removed.
*The timing chain slide rail and pin have been successfully removed.
*The thermostat assembly has been successfully removed.
*The power steering assembly has been pulled away from the head.

When I connect the cylinder head's three lifting points to my engine hoist and apply tension, the entire block pulls updward I have held a block of wood to the manifold side of the head while striking the piece of wood with a rubber mallet to try to release the head but still no success.

Any ideas as to what might still be keeping the head so tightly held to the block? I'll admit, after removing so dogonne much from on and around the engine, this was the *last* problem I was expecting

Thanks for any advice on this one-