Thanks for all the info thus far guys, I really appreciate it.

Its also comforting to know that DIY with all this stuff replaced its only around $1k - luckily for me, I have replaced in the last 3 months everything with the exception of the engine internals (and the coil pack) including the motor mounts and the bracket on the driver's side (never seen a steel bracket that had snapped, literally, in half before).

The one thing I am concerned about in tackling this job, is how heavy the head actually is. I know I can take apart everything thats involved, I just don't know if I can get the head out if its ridiculously heavy.

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87 300E
202k on the clock