FastCars&PBRs

Good heads up on the ebay belt kit. No oil leaks that I can detect which makes me think pump... Oh well, a different problem for a different thread. Currently I'm a bit stuck getting to the timing belts. I would like to keep the covers, but the left most cover has a single very stubborn bolt. The bolt and sleeve are just spinning freely, no matter how much pressure I apply by wedging a screw driver in there.... I would just break it, but it appears that all of the other bolts on this belt cover already spin freely or are missing, and this is the sole functional connecting piece. Any advice for getting this sucker outta there without breaking my last bolt? Or should I really just do away with the belt covers all together? I drive through a lot of mud and snow so it seems like they are maybe functional.... Any thoughts?

Thanks again everyone for the input! I'm gearing up to do this. I don't have an engine hoist so I'm going to attempt to do this with the engine still in the bay. Going to replace the timing belt while I'm in it as well. When I originally got the car it had some chunks in the coolant, possibly a stop leak product of some sort, should I definitely do the water pump then too? (cost?) should I pull the radiator and do a flush or something? I know radiators are notoriously weak... Also, is there a nice way to bleed the fuel line pressure without too much mess/explosion? On a totally different note, the oil pressure gauge sometimes reads very low when stopped (but randomly it seems...) and I've heard of a gasket problem with the oil pumps, does this sound familiar to anyone here? I know I'm not taking the oil pan out for this job but is this something I should investigate while I have it up on stands? Thanks all!

Thanks again guys. I'm pretty certain its the head gasket, though I haven't seen any 'foam' in the oil, it over heats randomly, gets rid of lots of antifreeze with out a leak i can find, gives puffs of white smoke that smells like antifreeze, and has gas bubbles coming through the coolant resevior. sounds like head gasket to you guys? Trick is, I don't actually have an engine hoist, I was going to borrow one for the job, but if I don't have too that would be a lot less hassle. I have a 10mm ratcheting wrench so that's no problem, is there anything else I have to remove to get there? also, how am I supposed to torque the bolts a specific amount if I cant fit a torque wrench in there? just wing it? I've never done a HG job before, is it necessary to keep the rockers in place with grease? I have a worry that with 223k on the block I'm going to get the heads off and find something else wrong that needs to be fixed, is there anything else specific that I should look at while I've got it opened up? Thanks you guys are so helpful!

Thanks so much for the helpful responses! Sorry to ask such a common question, I searched but apparently not enough (links would be appreciated if you know of any good threads off the top of your head.) Sounds like most of the info I was given about swapping was way off base, and I might be better off doing the head gaskets for right now, being as it's snowing like crazy here, and I know this thing will climb a freaking mountain if I can keep it form burning through antifreeze. I was told I have to pull the engine to do the head gasket but I really don't? does anyone have pics/directions/pdf manuals/links/advice for the job? I'll save a lift and engine swap for the summer time when my garage isn't so dang cold!

Hey there everybody. I have a 1990 Loyale with a blown head gasket and 223k miles. I'm thinking that rebuilding it is probably going to be a lot more work than just the head gasket with that many miles, and I would like to get it running again quickly... So as long as I guaranteed have to pull the engine, what else can I drop in that would maybe be a little more fun without breaking the bank? I've been told ea20/22's will fit without modification, but will they bolt up to the existing transmission (5 spd)? What's a good price for one? What would you do if you were in my shoes and wanted to spend < $1k ? ( I promise lots of pics when I do the project! )