Head Bolt Head Broken Off - will head clear firewall?

[DPDISXR4Ti]

I'm helping a friend with his '89 Ranger. I know the 2.3 well, but not in a Ranger. Upon removing the cam cover, we've discovered that one of the head bolts had lost it's head (it broke right below the head). Obviously the head needs to come off, and so now we've essentially got one head stud to clear as the head comes straight up and off. I'm concerned the head will not clear the firewall and suddenly this becomes a much bigger job. Anyone know for sure one way or the other?

 

[Shran]

I think it should clear but I'm not sure. If not, could you drill into the stud and use an easy-out to remove it?

 

[RonD]

Should come straight up enough to clear, studs were popular on the turbo versions of this 2.3l, they hold better

But if not, lift it as high as you can and support it with blocks between head and block
Then cut the bolt off(saws-all) or see if you can unscrew it with visegrips

 

[Bird76Mojo]

Not specifically on a 2.3, but in the past I've removed the bolts from the tranny crossmember to the rear rubber mount and jacked up the rear of the tranny to gain clearance at the back of the engine..

 

[DPDISXR4Ti]

Good ideas - thanks for the input.