Ok, I am replacing the head gasket on a '98 2.2.

I have things halfway torn apart and wanted to get more advice.

Should I remove the throttle body? I am having issues reaching the 4 or 5 electrical connectors on the rear bottom of the block. The wiring harness feeds right between the engine and the intake manifold and I can see no other way to do this. I plan to remove the head with the intake manifold on.

Do I leave all the fuel rails on? I am guessing the firing electronics will remain on the engine?

I removed the bolts of the power steering pump. (one useless one was a major PITA!) It will not come out, but I have yet to remove the engine mount. After the mount, do I remove the large bracket that goes across the passenger side? (My manual was confusing and said the remove the PS bracket before the engine mount. I see no way to do this.

Any other tips that I may need to know that will not be in the manual?

Thank in advance.

I had a shop tear down my 99 2200 to see what was going on with it (bad misfire and low compression in #1 cyl). They took the upper motor mount off along with the accessory mounting bracket. They seperated the intake and exhaust manifolds from the head along with any coolant lines that needed removed. then they pulled the head. It took them a couple of hours to get everything tore down.

I really do not see a reason to leave the intake manifold on the head. Its just added stuff to get in the way as you remove the head.

Also get new studs for the intake and exhaust manifolds. I know they dont carry a lot of weight but I would rather be safe than sorry as I would hate to have one break off after putting everything together. On the trucks I work on (class 8 trucks) I replace turbo mounting studs and exhaust manifold studs anytime I take any of that stuff apart. The extra few dollars spent will be worth it for piece of mind.

If you leave the intake on the head, you can save a few bucks by not having to replace the gasket. Those lower connectors are a real bitch though. Removing the manifold would certainly make it easier, but I was able to get them all off (with a little help), so it is possibe- it helps if you have really small hands, lol. We actually got everything disconnected with the throttle body on, but had to remove it anyway to get the head to come up off the studs.

I just unbolted the intake manifold and left the lower harness all connected. My arms are quite large. It was tough enough getting the lower bolts off the manifold, and that power steering pump bracket, man was that fun.

Head is at the shop now.

Thanks all.