TylerS

I'm replacing my blown head gasket, and was curious if it was possible to remove the head without completely removing the timing belt. Would it be possible to loosen the timing belt, slide it off the two cam pulleys, and then slide it back on once I put the head back on?

I really want to avoid removing the lower timing belt cover and crank pulley if possible.

realred96

Bump for a reply! Good question!!

petern101

Not really.

The thing is the tension on the timing belt will make it really hard to put back on.

You are almost better off removing the whole engine and working from there. You will probably spend about the same time and you can do a lot more preventative maintenance as well.

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apocolipse269

Why? thats easier to get off than the head. (less time involved)

Crank pulley is simple as: Crank pulley tool (seriously its only like $30), breaker bar, maybe need a long 1/2" extension and a jackstand

Thats it, i've had to take it off 3 times since i started replacing my engine (2x on the new engine, 1x on the old engine to get manual tensioner)

Out of the car its no problem, just break it with a breaker bar or a nice impact gun. In the car you're going to need to unbolt the driver side engine mount anyway (to get the head off), and lower the engine a tad on a jack to get access to put the pulley tool in, then a long 1/2" extension resting on a jackstand for leverage and a breakerbar and it will come loose no problem. Still think its hard? get a torch and heat it up a bit and it will be easier. Believe me it shouldnt take you more than 30mins or so to remove the entire timing belt cover, especialyl since you will already be taking off the alternator, ps pump, driver side mount, upper timing cover, might as well hit it all and grab a new timing belt while you're at it