hey y'all.
i just joined the group and i need help. i have a blown head gasket. i am in the middle of the tear down, and 3 bolts have sheared off between the heads and headers. should i take it loose at the exhaust pipes and remove each head/header as one peice?

in response to my own question...no.

the exhaust manifold bolt threads are only in the cylinder heads, with a smooth shaft through the headers (exhaust manifold). I found that out today when I got the heads out of the truck today.

drivers side head is cracked at front of the engine.

any recommendations about which cleaner? method i should use for all these parts that are covered with sludge?

i also noticed that under the water pump there is white/ yellowish sediment around the crank pully. is this a symptom of bad gasket, cracked pump housing, etc...?