97 head gasket problem

[97explorerguy]

I need to change the head gaskets on my explorer. I pushed it off for long enough and I don't want to run into any other problems down the road for driving with the bad gasket. This is the v6 OHV. How long should i expect to be working on this for? This is my DD and I hate to pay a shop $2500.00+ to change it for me so im just going to do it myself. If anyone has any information about this job or any tips from those of you that have done this many times it would be greatly appreciated. :exp:

 

[Maniak]

The 1st time we did it on our '92 it took 12 hours.. That was us taking every bolt off, putting them in baggies, and drawing a pic of where it came from..

Also, we are in AZ so no rust to deal with... I can now do it in about 6 hours or less (no inner fender wells, and air tools, plus I konw where the bolts go help)..

~Mark