I am working on doing a head gasket in my 86 Van le 2wd auto (4y-e) I have removed everything except the power steering pump, and the intake and exhaust manifolds. I seem
to have run into a brick wall with these. For the combination manifold, i have removed the top row of nuts, but the bottom row is covered up by a heat shield. I have tried to remove this shield that sits between both the manifolds, but the two nuts sandwiched under the intake manifold have rusted over, and the stud comes out with the nut. Im not able to back them all the way out because of this, since the intake manifold is in the way. Im trying to think of a way i could just cut these nuts off, but it seems difficult to get any kind of cutting tool in there. This brings me to the power steering pump. If i can remove it from the head then i would have much more working room for the manifolds. Ive tried removing the pump bracket with the pump still on it, but im unable to crack the lowest bolt loose without rounding it off (theres only enough room to get an open ended wrench in there). It looks like id have to remove the pulley in order to take the pump off the bracket. Does anyone know a way to hold the pulley in place to break the nut free? Ive soaked it in penetrating oil and heated it up with a torch to help the metal expand, and while trying to hold the pulley still by holding tension on the belt, i wasnt able to crack the nut loose. If anyone has any ideas or advice, i could really use the help. Thanks! -Jams