Has anyone done a valve seal replacement on this engine without removing the head?
Is it a big job?
Or does the head really need to come off and if so, HOW big of a job is this?

My time doesn't matter as I am retired.

Thanks

Larry

I would say that once you have stripped the engine far enough to get to the valve seals, removing the head is not a large amount of extra work. You've already disconnected the timing gear and removed the cams, and only have the manifolds to remove, the upper timing chain guide to release, the wiring to disconnect, a couple of cooling hoses, and the head bolts themselves.

I would go further, and say it is probably worthwhile to remove the head, bacause these engines do suffer from valve seat recession, and getting some new hardened seats pressed in will do wonders for the compression if the valves have sunk.

Also, with the head off, you can gain much better access to the glow plugs, and if one does snap, getting it machined out or spark erroded out will be much simpler.

Larry