pulling the head... adventure in the making

[rurik]

My beatiful car is sick

Mon night, after testing out whether my vent temperature is any colder after tweaking ACC some more (disconnecting electrical plug going to the vacuum switchover valve that controls opening the "fresh air scoop" -- the "long strke" one), I pulled in the Albertson's parking lot and noticed curious vapors arising from under the hood, and a rich trail of coolant behind the car. Turned out the upper radiator hose popped off the radiator fitting. Somehow, I haven't noticed the actual event. I don't believe that engine has actually overheated immediately prior to that, it was running at about 105-110C, give or take, but I can't really be sure. From the shape of the trail, looks like the hose came off very shortly before I pulled into the parking lot. Anyway, after reattaching the hose, putting in about half-gallon of coolant and driving home, upon getting there I discovered that the coolant overflow tank is empty again Next morning I added coolant again, and drove the car a bit around the parking lot, and it does consume coolant (although at a progressively slower rate) Checking oil level shows that it's about 1 inch above the max level, and the oil itself is way less viscous than what 15W40 is supposed to be. So it looks like my oil and coolant are travelling along the same roads now, likely due to a failed head gasket. So much for showing off my black beauty at the GTG (the car's actually drivable, but with so much coolant in the oil I doubt it's a good idea).

So I'm going to pull the head off the engine and see what the actual damage is. Greg, Randy & Co lifted my spirits some by expressing a high degree of confidence that it's just the head gasket itself that's blown, there shouldn't be any significant damage to the cylinder block or the head itself. It's uncharacteristic for me to express optimism, but I'm really hoping for that to be the case, I like this car a lot.

This will be my first foray into the innards of an automotive engine, so I'm sure it'll be adventurous. The job doesn't look that bad from the description in the FSM, but I'm sure the actual experience will be quite different. A few questions for the experts:

1) Can one obtain the required double-hex socket in some local store (e.g. Sears), or is it necessary to buy the actual MB tool (617 589 00 10 00)?

2) I lack an engine hoist, so the head will have to be lifted through the means of a few guys pulling it up. How much does the head on a 617 weigh?

3) I know the importance of KISS, and baby steps, etc., but what else should I keep an eye open for "while I'm in there"? Not necessarily for an immediate action, but to know what shape the engine's in (and if something can be proactively fixed easily, why not do it now)? The engine's got a lot of blowby.

Thanks,

yuri