Just about to do a head gasket replacement on my 2001 DII. One of the early steps in Rave is to remove the hood. Does anybody have any feedback as to whether that is (a) required, (b) just a good idea or (c) not needed at all. I'm plan to remove it if it required or a good idea. Otherwise I'd be happy to skip it and leave it in place. Thanks. Tom.

 

Remove the hood. It is required, a good idea, and needed.

 

Yeah, there really is no legitimate reason to remove the hood. :/

 

Yea ii don't have to.. I didn't... But I may have tied it up to the roof rack do it was a little higher and I could sit under it. And not have the rod in my way, likely to get hit and the good crash down on my head.

 

The hood is super easy to take off and gives you much more room to work and access to the coils and such. Take it off.

 

The hood has 4 bolts, takes less then 5 minutes and makes it so much easier to work on the engine.

 

I tie it up with a piece of rope to the roof rack, judging from the responses I'm thinking it's a matter of personal preference.

 

Thanks for all the quick replies. Off it goes tomorrow morning. FWIW, I realize it is only 4 bolts (and a washer tube) but (a) there's the installation bodywork alignment issue, (b) it's a 2 or 3 man job to remove and reinstall properly (c) there a chance of some damage during removal and/or installation and (d) it's less likely to get dinged or scratched or damged when it's bolted in place rather than sitting in the Shop somewhere. I did want to get the prop out of the way so I could tie up the hood as someone suggested but I'll keep it simple and remove it. Thanks again. Tom.

 

2 Man job. Use a magic marker to outline the hood hinge to the hood and reinstalling it is easy.

 

I weighs so little just get it out of the way.