Im going to attempt to work on my lifter noise that I have before I leave for boot with my friend. What I was curious about was how hard is it to take the engine down to the head while still in the engine compartment. I mean take off the fender well the cooling resevior, and take off the top insert, shouldn't that give me enough room? I don't have the knowledge to pull my engine, however my friend does, I'd just like to avoid it if I can. Also with the gasket set at about 200 dollars from autozone or advanced auto parts, should I look else where?..My jaw dropped when my friend went to get his gasket head set and it only cost him 55 for his sonoma.

Forgot..wanted to add its a 2.4...=\

The motor is hella easy to "pull" by going through the bottom. Use a cherry picker, unbolt the mounts (assuming you've disconnected everything and removed CV's), raise a bit, jiggle some, and lower onto a dolly.