Head Gasket change tips (experienced XUDers) please.

[Mal]

Check the ports to make sure there are no casting blobs

Pic's a bit crap but this was in one of the exhaust ports when I did my head up


Change the stem seals while it's out, chances are they'll be hard and near the end of it's life

how hard are they to replace? . . . .

I used a long nosed vice grips to get them out, then a socket and hammer to fit the new ones in. No problems after 4k miles (there wouldn't want to be!)

As for a spring compressors, they're not dear to buy, worth doing them while the heads out