any last minute tips for head removal?..

[twenty5psi]

alright tommorows the big day..ive read up on removing the head alot and have soaked up alot of knowledge but are there any tips you would recomend for me?..

do i have to absolutley make a tool for the timing belt to get the head off or could i slide it off the gears?..my main goal right now is getting the head off to see whats wrong..i drained the oil and ill be doing my coolant tommorow..the oil was dark with this cloud of brown in it(hoping its just a HG) and the car is blowing white smoke and oil coming from dipstick and oil cap..im not asking whats wrong,though i am asking what else should i prepare for as in taking the head off..any first hand tips?..ill be doing this without a engine lift(jacking the engine up from the oilpan) and basicaly just digging in until it comes off..oh and un-torqing the head in small incriments is a must too right?..thanx for the last minute tips..!..
chris

 

[Zex4g63]

When's the last time the belt was changed? Might be a good idea now. How many miles on it? Ever had the head off before? If not good time for a valve job at the local machine shop. Breath a little fresh air into it.

 

[babell2]

With my 90 I am at my 5th head off overhaul. Replace the timing belt. All of the idler pullies and posibly the hydrolic tensioner. Now would be a good time to invest in a new water pump as well. I am at 274K with mine and am undergoing the first bottom end overhaul. If you are interested in greater performance than stock you might look into the larger ss Valves available for the head. Valve springs are a waste of money unless you want to rev beyond 8-9K. AS I say speed costs money How fas do you want to go?

 

[hose101772]

mine apart right now.headgasket and of course my head and block are done.bridge between 3 and 4 are eat up on both.intake is easy as long as you take off the inside belt cover and ignition mod. dont bother with the brace on intake just take the lower bolts out of it.dont forget the knock wire connector-it may need to come off the brace to allow enough room for inake to come off studs.to do that you must first remove the belts via water pump pulley,crank pulley-4 bolts not the center, then timing belt cover,tensioner,idler pulley bracket,then the rear cover comes off as long as youve removed the ignition mod. you can access the lower intake bolts.on the exhaust side-try to get turbine housing stud out by jamming 2 nuts on it and loosening the lower of the 2-much easier this way.then manifold should ease out-far right ex head stud will have to be removed-same as turbine housing-to clear motor mount riser.other than thermo housing and oil line for turbo-oh and CAS,it sould be ready for head bolt removal and there you go.have fun.post back if you get stuck somewhere along the way.

 

[rebuilt65]

I think I read somwhere that you should use new head bolts or switch to studsat this time.
you might want to check
rebuilt