Thanks Homeoboxster. It's reassuring to hear from someone that has had hands-on experience with this job.
I went all-in on pulling the head with the motor in the car. Tappets and tappet cradle are out. Nothing is impossible so far, but maybe wasted an hour or so that I shouldn't have because I've had trouble getting tools into places or seeing what I was doing. I've also wasted a ton of time because the service manual is so confusing to understand and it just isn't a simple process. I've pulled heads off of other cars, done maybe a dozen timing belts/chains. This one is really something.
Also waited a few days to get the 987 timing tools. Oh yeah. I have a 2003, so my experience may vary from others as the camshafts timing is different (its a 3 chain motor w/ 987 heads).
Still have to do the actual deed of pulling the head off. Will do that tomorrow.
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