head gasket replacement

ime in the process of taking the head off my 1600 cabby to replace the head gasket but ime stuck on removing the manifold, it seems that the best option is to leave the manifold on the head and disconnect the exhaust from the down pipe, (unless you advise me otherwise), there seems to be 2 spring type clips holding the front pipe to the manifold, can anyone  give me any advice on how to take these off and put them back together again, also any tips on doing the head gasket?

You get a tool for removing/replacing the clips on the down pipe! You can force the clips off but getting them back on is a different story!

Use an exhaust U clamp, easy but time consuming.....

alan, if i take these clips off will it then seperate fairly easily allowing me to then take me head off, i was thinking if i prize them off at least i can carry on with changing the head gasket, i can worry about putting them back on after, any tips

paul, can you explain the u clamp method

paul, sorry mate i was too quick on my question thanks that seems like a good idea

thanks for the help so far ive now got the manifold clips off and the exhaust seperated, next questions, 1, what size are the head bolts, ive tried allen keys 8mm too small 10mm too big, are they 9mm or do i need a star drive 9mm? question 2, do i need to replace the ring that came out between the manifold and downpipe, or can i get away with using the same ring with some exhaust paste, thanks again

Head bolts on all the engines I've looked at are 12 spline drives. You're asking for trouble trying to undo them with an allen key. I think its M12 12 spline, but don't quote me on that!

I've just completed a head gasket replacement on mine (1457 JB).  It's a pretty straightforward job.  Headbolts are stretch bolts - replace with new, and I think you'd be mad to not use the proper triplesquare spline drives.

I thought my head was straight, but it needed 11 thou off of it to get it true.  False economy to not have in checked while it's off IMO :roll:

What was the problem with getting the manifold off?

Gaz

gaz, it seemed easier to leave the manifold on the head and disconnect the downpipe from the manifold,its now sat in the garrage with i think everything disconnected ready for the head bolts to come off, ime going to get the spline driver tommorrow, hopefully it should then be fairly straightforward to complete, cheers