One thing I have decided is to take care of the leaky head gasket I have. So what important things should I know before I start?

_________________
Leela: 1970 Dart 225 CID
Coulmn Shift TorqueFlite
7 1/4" Axle 2.76 Gears

Go ahead and save that weird car, the sedan, the 6 cylinder, the C-Body. If you want a big block musclecar and that's all you care about, your missing the point.

Do you have a Factory Service Manual?

Drain as much coolant as possible from the system. There is a block drain plug on the passenger side of the engine. Find it, and start soaking it with PB-Blaster or similar. Removal can be a pain. Once it's out, if it's never been removed, you may need to root around with a small screw driver or something to get the coolant to drain.
Drain the oil. Some coolant always seems to find it's way into the engine. You'll want to get that out.
Get a full set of manifold studs and nuts. Those that don't break are going to be ready to.
Have a new exhaust pipe donut gasket.
It is a good idea to have exhaust studs and nuts. These break nicely when removed, so be prepared.

CJ

_________________
Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

I was thinking of removing the head with the manifolds on and use the two holes on the top boss to lift the head with an engine Crane. I want to disassemble as little as possible. Oh I do have a FSG. I read the procedures. It is probably a little more difficult than first impressions let on.

_________________
Leela: 1970 Dart 225 CID
Coulmn Shift TorqueFlite
7 1/4" Axle 2.76 Gears

Go ahead and save that weird car, the sedan, the 6 cylinder, the C-Body. If you want a big block musclecar and that's all you care about, your missing the point.

If it's been in there a while and possibly OEM you won't get it out without some professional equipment. The other way to go is jack the rear of the car up as far as safely possible, put on jack stands, and drain the radiator first, then pull the lower radiator hose to make sure you got it all...that will lower the level in the block, but there may be a little trapped in the head...you can then put the hose back and close the drain on the radiator and jack the front of the car up. That will take care of a majority of it, have rags handy to collect any errant droplets of coolant and oil after head removal.


Other than that, if you decide to pull the manifolds before the head (they will weight around 150 lbs total- unless you use a lift your back and your friends back will not like the next morning)you can also get away with undoing the rear exhaust pipe hanger (this will allow some free play) and pulling the 'octopus' off the head and hanging it off your fender with a 2x6/4x4 and some rope....install in reverse.


-D.Idiot

I'm thinking of using my engine Crane to lift the head/manifold assy and have my dad help me stabilize it. I was going to drain the water down to below the head.

_________________
Leela: 1970 Dart 225 CID
Coulmn Shift TorqueFlite
7 1/4" Axle 2.76 Gears

Go ahead and save that weird car, the sedan, the 6 cylinder, the C-Body. If you want a big block musclecar and that's all you care about, your missing the point.

There will still be a couple of pints in the head and you will have to drain it down further since the engine is tilted toward the rear of the car...If you jack the car up you can get it to drain enough (and most of it out of the head after you drain the radiator) by this method...

-D.Idiot