Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) head removal

[MDowns]

ok i blew my head gasket a couple days ago and have a few questions about what to do about it. . im gonna try to replace it myself and was wondering what i neededto do to remove it. . any tips on how to make the job a little easier would be greatly appreciated. . also have a few questions about what i need to replace it with. . i was thinking about just going with the stock head gasket again and put some 12 mm headstuds in. . would this be fine or should i consider o-ringing it? working with a tight budget and any comments or helpful tips would be great. . thanks in advance

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

Remove the injector lines in pairs of 3 and don't forget the return line at the back of the head..... you can't see it and it's easy to forget. Use a cherry picker to pull it if at all possible... it's a heavy SOB and even with 2 guys it can be a pain in the back-literally.

 

[Huff N Puff]

The last set of push rods a little tricky to get out

ok i blew my head gasket a couple days ago and have a few questions about what to do about it. . im gonna try to replace it myself and was wondering what i neededto do to remove it. . any tips on how to make the job a little easier would be greatly appreciated. . also have a few questions about what i need to replace it with. . i was thinking about just going with the stock head gasket again and put some 12 mm headstuds in. . would this be fine or should i consider o-ringing it? working with a tight budget and any comments or helpful tips would be great. . thanks in advance

You need to remove the windshield wiper cover. In the bottom of the wiper trough are some rubber plugs,thoughs plugs are the access to the push rods. On the question stock head gasket or fire ring or oringing the head,You may not have a choice,if the sealing surface on the block has a slight divit worn around each cylinder where the flame ring sits,you will have to fire ring or oring to get the headgasket, to seal or you would have to have the block decked.