I am in the middle of replacing the head due to a stripped out spark plug hole and a possible head gasket leak on a 2.0 . I found a reconditioned head and gasket set / bolts for 130.00. So far so good, I got the head off and exh/intake transferred to the new head. I have been taking my time cleaning everything and making sure nothing breaks taking apart. Kinda wierd how the water pump acts like the belt tensioner rhough. The only snag I have had was trying to fing some 3/8" heater hose for the lines going to the throttle body. I wound up ordering a 50' roll from advance auto parts. Hopefully my dog buddy and I will be cruising again soon.

Later

50' roll? You know you can buy the stuff by the foot at Autozone, right?

Dude I checked all the local parts stores and nobody stocked this size hose. It was only 20.00 for the 50' roll so I will find a use for the rest don't worry. I was going to use some fuel line I had but was advised not to.

there is actually a belt tensioner on the 2.0 not the water pump, you twist the water pump until the tensioner lines up with the hightorque stop on the tensioner, then i just used a ruler and pushed down on the belt to see how far it moved, haynes manuals are a huge help, i did the headgasket in my bird back at the end of march 06

Yeah, 3/8" diameter hose for coolant is hard to find. What is the part number of the hose you bought??

-->Slow

The hose I bought is goodyear hose from advance auto parts #G0064997

Thanks for the number. I can't seem to find it at Advance. But at least I have a part number.

-->Slow

Hey make sure you keep your old head cause you can repair the spark plug threads.. Unless the head is cracked then just trash it.

Just about done!!! I was not working on it a few weeks dure to seasonal illness. I did start it a few times today to bleed the cooling system and runs fine however I am waiting for a new serp belt tensioner so I can put the power steering pump and alt back on. But engine runs great!!