Going over the engine, for starters. I want a pretty good mechanical position first, and then the exterior, and then interior.
I’m suspecting a blown head gasket. Want to keep the engine if possible without a switch out. Soul of the car and all.
Like some one else said, get a set of wrenches and dig in, there is enough self help videos on the net to get you through anything.
To start off with, if you suspect a blown headgasket, when you pull the heads, send them out for a valve job and have them mag fluxed to make sure they are not cracked, if ok, then you can go ahead with new gaskets. Also before pulling heads, you want to do a compression test on each cylinder, Just curious, why do you suspect a blown head gasket?
I’m suspecting a blown head gasket. Want to keep the engine if possible without a switch out. Soul of the car and all.
Back in the day there were certain things you looked for in a blown head gasket. Now it's a litmus paper test-chemical reaction to the exhaust gases coming out of the radiator cap opening. Then pressure test, and cooling system test. Google it-can do it at home if you are somewhat handy. Shame you don't live closer, I know a few guys...