I'm in the process of swapping my head, it can be done without removing the engine (but it makes it easier) you just have to strip the timing side of the engine and make sure to release the brackets holding the intake manifold to the engine block (those have caught many a 2GNT'er unaware)
since you are looking at just changing the headgasket you can just do it the quick way and disconnect only the things you need to get the head off and out of the way, or you can take your time and rebuild the head.
Erik P. Official 2GNT thread Hijacker Some say that he's driven over more Covenant than he's shot, and that his grenades aren't where you'd expect them to be... All we know is, He's not The Stig... But he is The Stig's Spartan cousin!