Couple of things... Since I got my car back from being stolen, it is missing a damn stud on the cylinder head at the exhaust manifold. The other 8 studs are present and bolted onto, but this one is just straight up ******* GONE. Is this a total bitch to replace?

Also, I'm curious about the condition of the head and the internals... and I'm a little intimidated at the thought of pulling the head.. Is this a complex process, and is it easy to **** stuff up? I mainly want to look at the pistons and the condition of the valvetrain. I've never pulled the head but I have enough experience with other aspects of mechanics to the point where I don't think it would be a big deal. I'm just paranoid about stuff like this.

I've seen some pictures of the exposed valve train.. What all do I have to do to see the pistons nice and clear?

 

search...

 

I was unable to find information on the exhaust manifold stud. I am good about searching. If I missed something, sorry. But I don't think I did..

 

then....exhaust bolt/stud missing....no biggie...as long as it isn't leaking exhaust...which would be seen by black around that area of the header on the head

 

missing? so you get a new one and screw it in

 

yea it's not a big deal, when i did my last header all the stupid studs came off before the nuts broke