Chevy Venture - Head Gaskets

[MaggieKate]

Hayne's manual says you can change head gaskets without pulling the engine. I cannot even access the rear spark plugs. I cannot get passed the blind bolts on the coil pack. Can this be done without pulling the engine? I have rocked the engine forward until the torque strut bracket hits the left rad. fan. Once again this is a Venture -3400. 167,000 mi.

[Rhedalert]

once you get the lower intake off the engine it'll be easier. But yes in that van there's plenty of blind spots and you'll be doing some work by feel. I did a lower intake gasket job on one and it wasn't too bad.

[SHOoff]

You can pull the head off without taking out the spark plugs. Did you remove the alternator? (if it's on the top/back like the grand am) I have a lot more room once my alternator is off.

[MaggieKate]

Thanks guys: I know I can pull the heads without removing the spark plugs. At issue is the configuration of the body/engine compartment on the Venture/Montana/Sihlouette. The engine is nicely tucked under the windshield with no access from below. Haynes says to remove the coil packs and go over the top after rocking the engine forward. I have "hit the wall" and can't even remove the rear bolts holding the coil pack bracket. I have done heads on a Corsica 3.1 SFI in the car but this has no comparison. Two garages I took it to for estimates both said I had to remove the car from the engine or remove the engine from the car. 13 - 16 hours and $1500 to 2000.

[bszopi]

How are you tilting the motor forward. IIRC, the minivans have the front, top mount engine mounts. If you undo those, you should be able to rock the engine forward several inches.

My parents own a Silhouette and will be here on Mon for Christmas. I'll try to take a couple of minutes to go look at the bay and see if I can offer any other solutions.