Jim:
I agree completely about taking the engine out to replace the heads.
Hell, it's hard enough with everything right in front of me. It must be
incredibly difficult to do it with the engine in the car.
I have most recently done one by just putting the engine on a 5 gallon
plastic drywall compound bucket.. I set it up just at the back of the
van so I didn't have to move the engine far. The bucket still had
something in it so it was a lot more stable.
I then was able to sit on another short bucket and be quite comfortable.
I actually have a VERY nice engine stand and I do use it for complete
rebuilds but this  involved a lot less lifting!
Al Brase

Jim Arnott wrote:

> It's easiest when the engine is bolted to the engine stand.  Ramps will
> get the engine out but sitting on a standard 3 ton floor jack, the
> motor won't clear the apron. So you slide it off the jack and drag the
> jack out, then drag the motor out.
>
> Jim
>