Started today; 4-day weekend with nice weather, so I should be able to make a pretty good dent in it, I hope. My back's already sore; I don't mind a few bruises. My wife's willing to help, too, so we might tag-team it.

Tried to start it to warm the oil to drain it, burn off some of the coolant, and turn it around in the yard for easier access, but the damn thing wouldn't start; starter stalled after a partial revolution. I think it finally had too much coolant leaking into one of the cylinders. I didn't hear any of the cylinders fire, so I hope I got off lucky and didn't break anything. Guess I'll soon see...

 

First snag: How do I get the fuel rail assembly off the intake manifold? I've got the bolt in the back and the double-ended bolt in the front removed, but it won't budge. The repair manual just says "remove fuel rail assembly" at this point, so it seems like it should just come off, but it's not. I've applied light pressure with a crowbar, but I don't want to break any of the injectors. What's the right way to do it?

Edit: nevermind, got it! How the hell am I supposed to get it back in, though?

Note to self: back 3 bolts in the upper intake manifold must be in place BEFORE putting it back in the car, because they're too long to come out/go in. Also, fuel rail must be set in the intake manifold, too.

 

you cant get the covers off id say you missed a bolt

 

Wow, the exhaust manifold bolts are tight! Y'all weren't kidding. How the hell did you get them off?


And no, the valve cover bolts were all off, the gasket was just sticking. I finally found a place with good leverage for the crowbar and peeled them off that way. Was interesting doing the same on the lower intake manifold...

 

lots of pen oil

 

Spray some PB blaster on the manifold bolts and let sit overnight, spray them a couple times during that time. That is the only stuff that I could get to break them loose.

 

Thanks. Shot a couple of them with PB blaster, but probably not nearly enough; I'll do the rest this morning and let 'em sit. If I discover the first head gasket I pull has blown... is it worth my while to do the 2nd while I'm so close, or should I go with "if it ain't broke, don't fix it?"

 

Do both. Your 80% there. I know the exhaust Manifolds are a pain but imagine doing the whole job over in 4 weeks.

 

^^^ Yep, what Gorn said!

 

PB blaster is soaking, new head gasket kit on order at the local auto parts store, and I am bound and determined to get this done!

Edit: I think I need some 90° breaker bars...