Chevrolet Repair: cylinder head on a gm 2.2 liter, dual cams, gmc sonoma

Question
My ex-wife, drove my sons 1998 GMC Sonoma 2.2 bone dry of water till the motor quit. The engine is not seized up, but air and water is coming out between the head and block. I started to take it apart today. So far I have taken off the radiator shroud, air conditioning compressor is off the bracket and a few other odds and ends. My question is: What else needs to come off to get to the head. I'm assuming that minimum the head gasket is gone and possibly the head is warped or gone also. The oil has no water in it but does smell like it got pretty hot. So right now I have the alternator, power steering pump, fan, the main bracket, some hoses and wiring left on the engine. Is this a very difficult job to do in ones back yard. It's bad enough that this has to be fixed, but on top of it I get to see my ex-wife on a daily basis till I get it fixed. Any help you can shoot my way would be greatly appreciated and I mean that. Thanks in advance Larry

Answer
Hi Larry,

This is a bigger job.  There is a lot of things that need to be moved.  For the first timer...if that is what you are, it can seem overwhelming.  I suggest you take lots of pictures of the motor prior to pulling it down.  

I am unsure if this is the motor with the dual cams, over head cam, over head valve, etc.  I am thinking you have the dual cams.  This will have multiple valves.  One cam for intake and one for exhaust.  The biggest problem for you is replacing the parts.  Everything must line up in sync.  

I take off the radiator, so not to puncture it.  I take off all accessories.  All accessory brackets.  You will need to disconnect the exhaust manifold and intake.  Disconnect the fuel rail.  Take off the valve cover and loosen all the cam followers.  Disconnect all cooling lines.  You will pretty much taking this down to the bare block and head.  Then you disconnect the head.  

Your head is warped...bad.  Possibly not repairable.  You can get a rebuilt from a machine shop.  Yours will be a core.  You can also probably plan on the exhaust manifold being warped also.  Once this gets over heated and then disconnected, it usually will leak when you reinstall it.  You will get a tick and smell.  Don't forget a new thermostat.  Once that is overheated, it is toast.  

Wish I was there to assist.  If you run into a problem, write back.  

C J S