Help with head removal

[kumfasa]

Heres what it looks like out. (This is a right hand drive car so some accessories are different) You can see the intake manifold bracket.
Some thoughts...
Have you disconnected the fuel lines to the fuel rail?
Turbo Oil feed line?
Coolant lines to the throttle body?

With both manifolds attached it is a heavy lump. I needed another person to help me lift mine off the block, we then rested it on the radiator support/crossmember and then transferred to a bench.

 

[alik]

Yes, the oil line has been disconnected. Fuel, water, it's all off

 

[fuel]

I would say it's just caught on the dowel. You say you can lift up the front of the head (US drivers side) - are you lifting the head up at the same rate from both sides?