I'm going to be replacing my rear valve cover gasket, and it looks like enough of a PITA that I plan to take the hood off. Can I get it off by myself? How heavy is it? I was thinking I would prop it open a foot or so, enough to get access to the bolts, but not so far that it wil fall off when I unbolt it.

 

possible by yourself but with a friend its 100x easier.

 

Yeah, that's usually the case. I'll see if I can make a friend between now and then.

 

There is plenty of room with the hood on. Trust me, ive done it about 5 times to 2 different maximas.

-matt

 

I figured I could do it, I just thought it would be a lot easier on my back if I could stand a little straighter when I deal with all the stuff near the firewall. Did it really not bother you to keep it on?

 

Not one bit. If you were doing the motor, then I would say take it off..but jsut the rear valve cover gasket, youll be fine.

 

Cool.

Anything I should know before I start taking things apart, or tricks to make it easier? I know from past experience there will be at least one bolt I can barely reach, and one fitting that is a b***h to get off.

 

thats the universal situation lol. Remember, when its all said and done if your not bleeding you messed up somewhere.

 

Leave the hood on, but you can get it to open straight up which will give you lots of room. Just prop the hood open (a broomstick) and unscrew the pressurized hood struts where they screw into the fenders. But before moving it to the full vertical position, slip a credit card (like ones you get in the mail every day and discard) down betwen the aft-most corners of the hood and the fender (rain gutter), or else you may rub off some paint.
I used a rope tied to the latch on the front of the hood, run over the roof and the other end tied under the bumper.
A little shade-tree, but functional.

 

There's the answer! I've replaced the struts before, but never had both off at once, so it never occurred to me that the hood might go farther up. Excellent suggestion.