What should I do to the engine while it's out?

[Brian in Tucson]

The motor mount of course. When I did my engine, the trans mounts seemed fine. While it's out, spark plugs, coils, renew and regrease the half shaft boots--clean the grease out of the cv joints and pack with the grease that comes with the new boots.

New hoses as needed--I had to replace 4 way hose (tiptronic) and replace the little hoses that connect the coolant bottle manifold that goes thru the rear firewall to the small metal tubes that run next to the engine on the passenger side.

While you've got it all apart, maybe an underdrive pulley, certainly a new fuel filter. And I put a spin on oil filter converter and am now using cannister filters. A magnetic drain plug, too.

While you have it up on a bench or a motor stand, I'd pull off the sump and really give it a thorough cleaning and inspection.

You are a braver soul than most of us to be pulling a head off for recon. I bought a different engine to avoid doing that.:chicken:

Keep us in the loop, and take pics. Good luck!