I am doing the timing chain and want to also do the water pump. Is there a way to get the thermostat housing loose or off without pulling the cat/exhaust manifold off? Can I just go from the top of the drivers side? I have only looked at it. I have not even pulled the hoses off yet.

 

Yes you can! By feel.

It is a lot (1,000%) easier to drop the exhaust.

 

thanks! that is the percentage I needed 1000 percent is a lot :) I guess I had better get under there with some spray oil and a wire brush....good thing I am in no hurry to get this done....just taking my sweet time :)

 

negative. I just removed the heat shield, and the engine hoist ring, had plenty of room

 

Some thing to keep in mind as well is the age of the car and your location... the "elements" that you and I deal with here in the winter can make certain parts that you are going to deal with reluctant to come off without breaking. Further more those same parts may be due for a change as well.

Point 1. The Exhaust manifold... It is a $70.00 CDN part but the studs quite often break in the head. They can be a ***** to remove/replace.
Point 2. The exhaust "Flex Pipe and Catalytic Converter" usually are old, rusted and if not leaking will be once you start wiggling it around to remove.
Point 3. The t-stat and the little rubber "Cap" on the t-stat housing.

When I went at my 2010 LS I decided to make life easier and pulled the engine. I also ordered a new flex-pipe/cat and exhaust manifold. It was costlier but made a tough job easier and I have the knowledge that I will not have to go back in there for a while since the usual troubles have all ready been addressed. Not to mention I didn't have to lay on the engine or under the car while I replaced the timing chain and water pump. I spent $400 more than I wanted to right then, but piece of mind and ease of doing the job....priceless.

I don't know about you but I'm at an age were I cannot physically stand bent over any more without paying a painful price for it the following day's. The quality of work I do is a direct reflection of whether I am enjoying the job or in pain as well.

 

Have to agree that the timing chain would be a bear but as far as the water pump only, I would rather change this out than one on a modern V6 or V8

 

Who said anything about removing a manifold?

I am now and have been for a long time without a lift in my garage. I am NEVER going to pull my engine if there is another way. Air cooled VW I pulled the engine on a whim, but that was made to be easy.

If you don't want to take advice that is fine, but arguing about advice given 5 years ago in several different threads is a waste of my time. But then, sitting in my wheelchair is all I got to do these days. Arguing with the service manual is just stupid.

 

not at all hard to get to...pull the air claener housing for easier access....near the tranny..

 

@Donbrew, If the OP is going to remove the flex pipe in order to gain some more room chances are the three bolts on the flange are not going to co-operate. Getting a drill down there to drill out the broken bolts is impossible so the exhaust manifold would need to be removed in order to repair it. On a side note, at the low cost of the manifold I would just replace it with a new one vs the time and energy required to repair it.

As for pulling an engine... to each his own. I have two pieces of 4x8 sheets of plywood to work on, that's it. No garage, no heat, nothing. I do however have over $30,000 grand worth of tools under a tarp at my disposal and no spare money to pay a more skilled person than I to fix my stuff.

Nobody is forcing you to waste your time, you have a lot of knowledge to be shared and the fact that you do is commendable. It is your choice to log in or not, it is not however reasonable to expect the entire world to accept your view as the only solution period. Each persons situation is different. I for example spent 6 years of my young adult life jumping out of airplanes with a rifle in my hands, one time my static line did not release me and I was pommeled against the side of the airplane for more than 10 minutes. Almost every bone in my body was broken that day. I spent 3 months in a drug induced coma and was told I would never walk again when I woke up. I spent (and still do) a long time in physio therapy and quite a few operations on my knees, hips, shoulders and back but I am mobile... not fast but mobile and it has been that way for over 35 years. So when I say I would rather pull the engine to work on it standing up it is because for me it is the far less painful way of working on it, not necessarily the easiest. To be told that doing it this way would be "Just Stupid", well... in the words of the internet, "Have a nice day".

 

Anywho ... Back to them exhaust studs. I have found that soaking them with transmission fluid 24 hours in advance does absolute wonders. If you really want something that is over the top mix ATF (automatic Transmission Fluid) and acetone 50/50. Them exhaust studs, I always run a die on them to clean them up afterwards and use them long brass nuts.