Nissan Repair: 93 mercury villager manifold gasket leaking, mercury villager, vice grips

Question
I have run through the questions posted and find none referring to this common problem for the 3 litre Nissan v6
In as much detail as you can, would you please describe how a drive-way mechanic could change this gasket on the back side of the engine?  I am concerned with breaking studs and not having the space to work.  Is there an alternative repair?  It is getting loud and smelling inside the cab.Thanks, Gary.

Answer
Gary,

Yes, this is a heck of a job for a do it yourself mechanic.  Basically, you have to put the car up on stands and block the wheels and make sure that you will be safe.  You do not want the van to fall on you.  Next, you have to have all the netric sockets, wrenches and extensions to do the job.  Take the downpipes off the manifolds.  Then, you remove the manifold.  Not much room since the firewall and rack and pinion are in the way.  But, it can be done.  Once the manifold is off you get the fun part of getting those broken manifold bolts out.  If you are lucky there is enough sticking out so you can use Vice Grips.  If not, you get to center drill the bolt and use a bolt extractor.  Now, you have to have a new set of studs/bolts and put it all back together.  Having a 90 degree drill helps with the limited room.  Unless you are really into your own mechanics you might take it to a good shop.  It is a really time consuming and difficult job.