Ok guys n gals, I just received the water pump and timing belt KIT. I also got the upper gasket kit so I can change the spark plugs n such. I am throwing 2 oxy codes n must have a leak in one of the valve covers somewhere. I need spark plugs and a few other things. I will post as I go along... Am I missing anything here...
The 01 Monty has 127 grand on it and and it's a 3.5 XS n all I put into it was tires n brakes oh ya n the power steering tensioner pulley 4 of them within the past 2 years n it needs a new one already...lol

 

Just wondering how surgery went bud? If you havent started yet one thing that you need to do and watch for (If yur xs W/P is the same as my 3.5 dohc W/P) is when taking off the water pump, it needs to come off with the rear assembly that its connected to.I removed all the bolts and started to pry on mine and it wasnt comin off until i realized theres a little phillips screw thats holding it on aswell but you can only get to it from the back. My manual failed to inform me of this sneeky lil screw. luckily I didnt break anything. but your water pump should come with two or three gaskets. Not sure if this helps any but jus thought id throw it out there. Good luck if its not already done

 

I haven't started yet, A few more days and I will start it and let yas know and tks for the water pump tip, I will watch out for the Philips on the back of the pump.

 

OK ,, Starting the top end rebuild and have to pick up the new plug wires and spark plugs.. Should I pickup the original plugs or something different.

 

OK, Now I just got bosch Iridium plugs and some NGK wire set so I should have everything now...Wish me luck. Waiting until overnight cool first then I will dig in.

 

UPDATE... Sorry there is no crank seal in the usual place..lol My bad....I do know that the gasket kit that I got online doesn't come with all the gaskets that you would need as I will post which ones it didn't come with.I started a few hours ago and low n behold the timing belt was ready to snap in many places so I'm glad I started the job. One thing though, I got the timing belt kit online but it doesn't come with the front crank seal....U would think it would....Puzzled here. Also watch out for the online ebay CD for the Montero Manual for 20 bucks. I was stumped many times and sorry that I got that one. Extremely simple with exploded views but not any instructions. Now I have to go n get special tools, Crank Seal and who knows. I should have opened the box but I trusted their professionalism and shouldn't have done that...I have a lot of pics and will try to post them here.

 

Wow is there any secret to getting off the old gaskets off the rocker covers, There hard as a rock. Sheeshhh !!!!

 

Mine were hard and brittle aswell.I jus took a small screwdriver and chisled em out as most of it came out in peices. Then took a wire brush and cleaned out the channels.

 

OK,,, Got them out the same way. I also found that I did have a leak in the exhaust manifold as a stud was snapped off now the head is being drilled out and tapped as we speak. I have the drivers side head, Exhaust manifold and cleaning up somemore parts until the head arrives. Thank you for your support...Bob.

 

Ok getting ready to fill the system with water and flush the motor out. Hopefully theres no leaks and I will put antifreeze in the system. Oil is new and new filter. I will post how it goes after the general lookover and filling then the initial startup.