[urq] "The Project"

[Buchholz, Steven]

... I did it those so many years ago!  Of course in the process I found I had a couple broken EM studs, and broke the extractor in the rearmost one ... so at that point I had to pull the head.  You'll need a good selection of universals, extensions, wobbles and lights and mirrors.  I'm pretty sure I dropped the oil cooler and the oil filter heat shield ... and for the most part I remember working from underneath.  

Some 10v I-5 experts I know swear by pulling the head with manifolds and other accoutrements ... and if you're planning a WC turbo conversion there might not be *that* much more work ... and it would give you a chance to evaluate the combustion chambers and make sure you have a good head gasket ... 

There again ... if all you're doing is a WC turbo swap it seems to me you should be able to do that without even pulling the EM ... and with the turbo and intercooler out you should have plenty of access for adding the new plumbing.

Golly, I've got a lot of time all of a sudden!  I'm still seriously buried in ARs here at work ... that's why you haven't seen much of me lately ... anyway, I did have one comment about the new vs. used parts for the WC adaptation.  The one hose that attaches to the coolant hose flange at the top of the engine is a fitting with a length of rubber hose held in place by one of those funky stamped clamps that leak over time.  I found it was very easy to remove the old small length of rubber hose and the funky clamp, leaving a fine surface for a short length of silicone line and a conventional hose clamp ... far better than OEM to my way of thinking ... 

Steve B
San José, CA (USA)
> 
> I guess before I start tearing everything apart, is this even doable getting
> to bolts on the exhaust manifold? without the engine out?