I guess what really did it for me was trying to get the SAI pipes off. The driver's side came off pretty easily, but the passenger's side has been hell. I went to heat it to try and free it up, and smoke starting coming out of a crack in the pipe I hadn't noticed. At that point I kinda lost my cool and started pulling out spark plug wires *****-nilly.

I guess that would have been a good time to take a break and calm down.

Anyway, that's another worry for me -- finding even more parts that are messed up the deeper I dive in. It'd be different if I was keeping it, because I'd obviously replace (and probably improve) parts. But since I'm getting ready to get rid of it anyway...

 

Red Bull is not the beverage of choice for this work. And we have plenty of diagrams foor the plug wires, no harm done.

 

I think I'm going to spend a few hours tonight doing some easy stuff like cleaning up the intake and valve cover, etc. Get an easy "win" and maybe get me in the right frame of mind.

What's that saying about eating an elephant? One bite at a time?

I've actually seen the wiring diagrams, so I know that's no big deal. I read through your post about it (Buzz) about three times, and several others. It's more the cables and hoses that are making me question myself. Plus, how do you get the stupid fan off without buying a $50 wrench I'd only use once?

Deep breaths...

 

listen bro, I'm just now bolting my heads back on! I got up to the intake this weekend. manifold is on and the injectors are plugged in.. I have a few hours left on the front.. remember it's just glorified legos.. the closer i get to being done the greater the fear builds in my chest. But I have taken my time and tried to to triple checked each step. I've used every reference I've had at my disposal... you'll do fine. I found pauls p-38 top end refresh page very helpful


Engine Refresh (Part 3) | PaulP38A.com

I have an impression of a 3/4" socket and ratchet in my garage wall.. when I repainted my garage my wife asked why I didn't fix it. I told it was my reminder to chill out and remember there is a solution to every problem and blowing up isn't the solution.. when you get to a hard part, just go in have a cold feller let google or the forum answer your question... there is nothing that your going to encounter that someone on here hasn't already conquered!

 

On da fan clutch - get a crescent wrench on it, with serpantine belt still on. Take a hammer and whack the wrench toward the passenger side. Slow and strong just creeps the belt.

Hoses and cables- masking tape with notes. Take plenty of pictures before and after.

 

You can go to advance auto or autozone and "rent" the fan wrench set. You basically buy it but are allowed to return it within 90 days for a full refund. It is a program they have you're not screwing the system.

Though if you're lazy like me you may actually end up buying it by forgetting to take it back. None the less I've actually got some good use out of it lol.

 

You gotta have lots of patients if you jump into engine work on these engines.

On the SAI pipes, make sure you have a wrench on the adapter that threads into the head, a 7/8ths wrench will work. If you don't hold this you will bend the pipe for sure.

Also, you will make mistakes. I just wrapped up the third time I've had an engine out of one of my two Disco's. just an example, I have now used the degree wheel on two different build for torquing my head bolts. Each time I've used this I've said that tools is horrible and had in my head this grand idea of marking the head bolt with nail polish and the head surface to determine rotation. Well lets just say I failed Geometry!! Instead of torquing the initial 15 lbs, 90 degrees then 90 degrees, I turned that new bolt 180 degrees and the a final 180 degrees. I thought it was damn hard to turn that bolt the final 180 degrees. Surprisingly, I Made it all the way to the 5th bolt in the second sequence before the bolt snapped. First thing I thought was I got some junk bolts from AB, took me a few minutes before I realized I over torqued by 180 degrees. This turned out to be a 180 dollar mistake with the last minute purchase of dealer new head gasket and bolts. Could have been much worse if I tore the threads out of the block with the over torque. All in all I was happy the bolt snapped as I've got 3k invested in my Turner Block.

As much a I didn't want to share this bone head mistake I do want others to learn from this. One thing I did learn was those head bolts will take a heck of an over torque!!

 

re: One thing I did learn was those head bolts will take a heck of an over torque!!

The intake bolts won't.

 

You need to alternate which nut you turn on the sai pipes till it comes loose. You don't need to take the fan off to do head gaskets unless you want to replace it too.

 

From my experience with my XJ, take a lot of pictures while you remove parts (each step from few angles). You will need it later while installing it back.
Regarding the pressure, take a deep breath and organize your stuff - tools/parts so it will be clear what are the steps you have to do.
Make sure you have the right tools for the job (fan clutch - as already been said here before, with the belt on)
Post pictures if you need help, I'm sure people will be able to help better with pictures of the relevant parts/issues.
Saar.