>| I'd also recommend to anyone thinking about pulling heads that they remove
>| the engine first rather than try to do the job with the motor in the van.
>| I'll guarantee you that it will be easier in the long run.

        Having redone the heads, I found my neck and arms got tired when
torquing the heads bolts and while removing and installing the exhaust. I
didn't check the rings or pull the pistons when I replaced my gaskets - just
rolled the new black rings down the cylinders. I suppose if one is going to
remove the cylinders, it might be worth while to remove the engine (don't
really know though). The only other benefit I can see from removing the engine
would be doing such would allow one to keep more even pressure on the head
bolts as they are tightened as one could use the full 360 degrees of the
torque wrench's rotation...

dave