I don't think he's "over analyzing" anything Michael... I tend to do the same think when I'm contemplating some new endeavor. (remember he said he's never done this before) I want to know every single little thing that can happen. It's the Boy Scout motto: Be Prepared!

That was more meant as motivational propulsion to the backside. Hence, the use of a smiley. You know, the thingy I was accused of not using enough of in the Gas Mileage thread? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Besides, I'm an Eagle Scout, so...your motto, while understood, does not quite apply here. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> There is also a point where you (me or anyone) can get too tied up in the details and become paralyzed to actually getting the job done. Mechanics is not brain surgery, and I am pretty sure brain surgeons prep less than this a surgery. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

To a degree, these kinds of things (especially for the first time person who is just learning) is a jump-in and hang on kind of thing. Just don't loose any parts, don't break anything that you don't want to fix and keep a general idea of how things fit back together and you will be fine. There is just no way to inform someone of every little thing that is required, will happen, might happen or could happen before they start the job. Especially via the Internet.

As for tipping the head, well...it just kind of happened that way. It also does not beget tipping it to get it back together. If I can't pop the sprocket back on there once the head is firmly bolted down, then I will pull the front cover. No big deal and it is definitely not a show stopper.

Good Luck,
Michael

Yep, I agree with that... some anecdotal evidence:

I got my first "car" when I was around 13 y.o. A rust bucket '59 Impala. It hadn't run in a while, and when I got it, I was told that all it needed to run was a new battery. So, I got out my "jumper cables" and tried to start it. Starter clicked, but wouldn't turn. Pulled the starter. On the garage floor, it spun just fine when hooked up to those same cables. Hmmmmm, engine must be siezed up. So, I proceed to rip it all apart...

Why am I telling this story ? I don't know, but bottom line is that the cables I was using were cheap crap, and if I had just gone and stolen... errrrrrr, bought a battery that thing woulda cranked right up.

BUT, I sure did learn an awful lot from ripping that motor apart! Thankfully, I never really expected it to run again, and didn't need it to drive to work the next day.

It's a Learn As You Go thing, just like real life. The real "Be Prepared" I guess is to prepare yourself for the fact that something will come up that you hadn't expected, accept it and move on!

"paralysis by analysis" I heard of that somewhere... As a matter of fact I fell victim to it once before! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

Gentlemen,
Following the sound advice posted herein, I was successful in removing my cylinder head today, and getting the new one in place. Tomorrow I'll tackle getting the bolts torqued down and all the "stuff" hooked back up.
In the process of taking everything apart, I removed the marks I'd made to preserve timing. I would appreciate someone identifying the steps I'll need to take to make sure that I don't PROVE that the 4ZE1 is an interference engine. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />

Gentlemen,
Spent the weekend replacing my head gasket. The write-up was good. I replaced the thermostat, but did not need to remove the housing to do the head gasket.
I lost my marks made to preserve timing, and then had to go back and ensure that I hadn't moved anything. It all lined up nicely, but I'm not sure if it hadn't if I wouldn't be fixing some valves....
My original symptom was bubbles in my oil; when I pulled the dipstick it was "frothy." That appears to have been cured. Might also have been seeing some oil in the coolant, but won't be able to check that until later...
First time I'd ever done anything this ambitious, but got it all put back together first time with no leftover parts, which is REALLY unusual. Fired up with the first turn of the key, too.
Thanks for all the help.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />