I'm replacing the head gasket in a 98 Civic LX. All I want to do is get the intake manifold off the studs far enough to get the block off. Seems like all the instructions I've read assume you're doing a complete tear down. Is there a fast and easy way to do this?

 

leave the intake manifold attached to the head when you remove it. though if you're replacing a headgasket, most likely the head will need to be taken to the machine shop to get decked, which requires you to remove the intake manifold.

 

Do it the right way.

 

[assuming exhaust manifold, distributor, P/S bracket, cam sproket and all electrical and cooling hoses to the head are removed]

undo the support bracket under the manifold. undo all nuts holding the manifold to the head then go ahead and work it loose from the head to un-stick the gasket. undo head bolts and as you lift the head off, have someone else pull the manifold towards the firewall. this allows just enough clearance to get the head out without needing to disconnect too much from the manifold.

I've been doing it this way for a while. never had any trouble afterwards.

 

Thanks smallow, worked like a charm.

 

If you take the exhaust manifold completely off, you can slide the head forward enough to clear the intake.

 

I love that idea but I don't think it'd work because the head would hang up on the dowel pins, unless I can undo the bracket under the manifold and can lift the head enough to clear the pins.