1. I removed the studs when I was replacing the heads and then put the studs
in the new heads with the exhaust in place. Or you can take the exhaust
apart. Either way is a slippery rope.

2. yes

Hotch
86 Vanagon GL
89 Jetta GL
Philly
Richard Hotchkiss
http://www.hotstrings-inc.com

> From: Dan Erlandson <danoer1@ECLIPSE.NET>
> Reply-To: Dan Erlandson <danoer1@ECLIPSE.NET>
> Date: Mon, 16 Jun 2003 14:05:55 -0400
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Head gasket
>
> Well I started the big project of replacing the head gasket on the 91 GL
> this morning.  I have the week to work on it and I'm hoping the weather will
> hold up.  There has been a small but consistently present leak from both
> heads since the winter (more in winter, but still there in warmer weather).
> I've drained oil and coolant, removed the exhaust studs/nuts from the heads
> (no breakage thanks to the technique supplied by G Mathew Bulley in the
> archives) and was about to remove the intake manifolds but realized I had a
> question...
> 1.  It looks like I will have to remove part (all/most) of the exhaust
> system, No??  I guess what I did not notice before was that each head has
> one set of studs and one set of bolts, so I am assuming that once I get the
> head nuts loose (in the correct order of disassembly) the head will not come
> off since there is a set of studs still present on each head that is
> inserted into a crossover type of exhaust pipe... so I need to remove those
> exhaust pipes right?? (is this why there is so much talk of SS headers??)
> 2.  I can leave the injectors/fuel rail attached to the manifold, No?
> It looks like the fuel rail is bolted onto the intake and if I just unbolt
> the two bolts that hold each manifold onto each head then all should be
> fine, right??
>
> Thanks for the feedback on these novice questions... I certainly could not
> have gotten as far as I have gotten today without the advice/help of the
> list.  You are all great!!
>
>
> --
> Dan Erlandson
> Flemington, NJ
>> danoer1@eclipse.net
> 91 VW Vanagon GL 170,000 mi
> 99 VW Passat 107,000 mi
>