Cylinder Head Removal-Help/Tips/Suggestions

[85Rangerr]

I just bought a 1985 ranger with 135k mi that has been sitting for a few years, a relative of the previous owner got it running to sell the truck. My plan is to replace all the gaskets because the engine is caked in oil so its impossible to tell where it's leaking. I started tearing down the engine. The only thing I have yet to remove is the cylinder heads because I have to remove the exhaust manifolds in order to get the heads off. The bolts for the exhaust manifold are in a tough-to-reach area already and they are very rusted on. My question I guess is, should I not worry about replacing the head gaskets? I would assume they should be replaced judging by the look of every other gasket on the truck.

 

[RonD]

Head gaskets are good for the life of the engine................until they are not, they don't "wear out", they can be damaged by overheating but that's about it

If starter is still hooked up and valve train is still working, then do a compression test on each cylinder, write down results
Should see numbers in a 10-15psi range of each other
Generally speaking you only pull the heads when exhaust valves get burned and compression test shows a low cylinder

Exhaust bolts are a PITA
I have probably spent/wasted more time on exhaust bolts than on any other mechanical endeavor on a vehicle