Head gasket replacement

[Flex BT]

My jeep had been very slowly losing coolant for a while now. It sat for a few weeks, then I replaced the Transmission & clutch. Went to fire it up and it was running terribly rough. I checked the dipstick and there was a milky smear in it so I think the head gasket has bought the farm.

I recently put a new gasket on the intake and exhaust manifold and it was a big PITA. Is it possible to remove the head with those pieces still attached? If not, what is the best way to get that copper spray adhesive off, goo gone? I was looking at getting the 4.0 head but I think that might be cost prohibitive to me right now.

 

[jdarg]

It would be tough - that head weighs a lot all by itself.

You might be able to manage it with help from 1-2 people. When reinstalling you mind find fashioning some long alignment dowels will help you get it back in place esp. with all the extra weight.

 

[Torxhead]

It might be worth it to rent an engine hoist, to do the head/manifolds as an assembly.

 

[Flex BT]

To follow up... I replaced the head gasket with the manifolds both in place and would definitely recommend it. I used myself and a buddy to lift the head / manifolds off and it wasn't much trouble at all. I did get some long 7/16 bolts which I turned into studs to help with alignment while replacing the head which helped a lot.

 

[mtnwhlr]

I hope you didn't wipe out your bearings coolant in your oil will wear them out fast. Do a good oil change before starting.

 

[IOPort51]

three would be good but two woks just fine. Run a pipe through the lift chain and be sure your buddy is about the same size as yourself. Kid brother helped me. We did the 4.0 with manifolds lined up bolted and torqued, which is a lot easier than doing it in place, especially with the 4.0 because the dowel pins are in the wrong place and have to be trimmed accordingly. You can miss the intake port and loose a fair bit with out half trying.