Good news, both heads are on and have been torqued down to ARP spec (although that doesn't feel very tight!) Next step is the exhaust manifolds, I made a start on them but the new gasket slipped between the heat shield and the engine block, so I called it a day. I'll try and get it tomorrow and...

Been away all week so only getting back to it this morning. ARP studs have gone in nicely, but I can't for the life of me get the pushrods back in their place. They came out so easily, but now some of them are being impossible to replace. Is there a trick to it? I tried replacing the pushrods...

Yes they can definitely be felt with my nail. It's a bunch of small scratches around the dowel hole. I would get some pictures, but the head is finally in place. I suppose I'll have to take it off anyway

Right folks, I may have buggered this up. I was installing the driver side head, but couldn't get it to sit right on the two small dowels in the block. I moved it the head around to try and get it to slip on, but it didn't. I took the head off and I've managed to leave a few small scrapes/gouges...

Heads are on, just need to tighten them down now. Does anyone know the torque spec for ARP studs? I'm seeing a few different answers online

Update: got some petrol and gave it a good scrubbing, but still looking a bit stained. Might have to pick up some scotchbrite pads. Image:

Folks, how perfect does the block surface need to be? I've gone over it a few times with a plastic scraper and some degreaser, but there are some baked-on bits (mostly around the thread holes) that aren't shifting with my own power. Please see this pic:

Heads are back today. Cleaned up nicely, threads helicoiled, and broken exhaust bolts removed. Before the heads go back on -do any of you use additional gasket/sealant in any places on the heads? Thanks

Heads went to the shop this morning, surfaces were nice and flat but I've left them there so they can have all mating surfaces cleaned up, and those broken exhaust manifold bolts removed. In the meantime, I'll prep and clean the block. Aside from the mating surface, what cleaning should I do on...

Thanks for your recommendations. I live in South Wales, so I fear all of the well-known shops on this forum will be out of my reach! I've been out this morning to take some close up pictures. Got both sides of each gasket, a closer look at each cylinder, and one of the heads. I couldn't see...

Thanks again all, your input is greatly appreciated. I'll get some better pictures in the morning, and I'll have a close look at no 8 to see if it's a crack.

Thanks for your opinions, I'm relieved to hear that. If there's any additional photos I can provide, please let me know. At this point, I have to reassemble either way. I'll take the heads to the machine shop on Monday and see what the tech says. There might still be hope!

Pictures attached below. I've only had it a month, got it cheap from a no-reserve auction so I knew the risks. Has about 85k miles

Morning, Good news is that the heads are off. Bad news - the gaskets look like they're in pretty good nick to me. I was praying for an obvious blown gasket, but it seems that's not the case.

Gasket looked in good nick on the passenger side. I'm hoping to see a damaged one on the driver's side, otherwise I'll be in trouble...

Right you were. Snapped one of my sock size adapters last night. But the good news is I've got the passenger side head off, after much swearing and knuckle scraping. Now it's just the much harder driver side left. I've taken the wheel arch out, so if the weather behaves, I'll hopefully get the...

I guess who ever had this before me decided to swap the wheel bolts, as they aren't the normal 27mm. Looks to be around 22mm - one of the only sizes I haven't got 🙃 Today's progress.. Managed to get the exhaust manifold off on the passenger side. Now trying to get to the head bolts - the ones...

Today's update. Slow progress, managed to get the top exhaust manifold bolts out purely just by mangling the heat shields out of the way. The tricky part now is getting the lower ones out, access from underneath is pretty impossible. My mangler, an 18 inch masonry chisel, has proven useful but...

Silly question, but aren't the exhaust manifolds bolted to the cylinder head itself? Or do you mean they unbolted the manifolds from the lower end and pulled the lot out all at once?

Thanks for your replies. I could maybe try and hack the top ones off, but access to the bottom ones might be a bit tricky. Car is on it's arse right now, so not really any room to get underneath or under the wheel arch lining. I'll try the brutal methods tomorrow once my hands have healed a...