Who's Changed Their Head Gaskets?

[Abb0]

Hey team,

Well, it looks as though I'll be changing my headgasket (maybe both?) on my '04 GT myself as I ain't paying $1300 for something I should be able to do myself.
So, I'd like to know of any pitfalls to look out for. Basically I see the job as being:
Remove accessories
Remove the headers
Remove the TB/inlet manifold
Remove front cover and timing chain (is there one or two?)
Remove affected head
Clean up the surfaces
Fit the new gasket
Put everything back in basically the reverse order that I took it off.

A couple of questions:
Should I change the other head gasket at the same time? Afterall, all I'd have to do is take the other head off etc. The hard stuff has basically been done.
Any special tools I'll need?
Any traps I need to be careful of? e.g. connections that are easy to break

I'm pretty handy with a spanner and socket so I don't have any concerns that I can do it, more that I have never played with one of these engines before.

Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks

_________

 

[sneaky98gt]

I'm assuming this is a 4.6 car.

That being said, why do you think the head gasket is blown? It's relatively rare that these cars blow head gaskets.

 

[Abb0]

I was driving it on the highway and started to hear a bit of a knock under acceleration (not hard). Looked at the cluster and the temp was hard to the right. Pulled off and found a spot to park. Crap loads of water coming from the reservoir ( the cap had popped off) and a load of steam coming under the inlet manifold somewhere.
I tried to refill it and nurse it back home but soon realized it wasn't going to happen. I could see a jet of steam coming out between the block and head of the left bank, so a tow truck was called. I'm just hoping I haven't cooked the motor
And yes, it is the 4.6.

 

[BurningRubber]

Check your intake manifold first. They are prone to popping at the coolant crossover (the very front runner).

May not be it seeing as that cap on the reservoir popped, but it's a good starting point.

Unfortunately doing the head gaskets on these cars is a pretty big task because you're removing the heads and thus will have to dis-assemble and re-assemble the timing equipment.