Head Gasket - How difficult?

epninety

It's a good engine to learn on - tough and simple to work on. The first top end rebuild I ever did was on the Mi16 16V version - bit more complex but basically the same.

I'd start with Vaios suggestion of using rope to hold the valves up with the head still on. You have to remove the camshaft to get at the stem seals, and you'll need to make up some sort of valve spring compressor to get it all apart. It'll be fiddly and it may not be possible at all, but worst case is you have to take the head off anyway, and you'll only have wasted a few hours.
Check the tappet clearances before you take it all apart (I'm assuming Peugeot used solid lifters the same as Citroen - can't remember). Because the camshaft has to come out, the tappets are rarely, if ever, adjusted. You'll need to order new shims from Peugeot - they might even be able to loan you a selection box because you don't know what's needed until you get it all apart.

Don't skimp on the timing belt - buy a new one. It's really depressing if it fails 200 miles down the road.

nordberg

I'd go the whole hog and change the HG. It will more than likely need doing before long anyway if your valve seals have gone. Seems to me that if you're going to the trouble of taking the head to bits, you may aswell go one step further and do the HG. Also gives you a chance to inspect the cylinders etc to see if they are badly worn.

As long as you triple mark your crank and cam pulleys (I use 3 different colour paint pens as a real safety net) you shoud be OK. You can get timing lights for about a tenner off eBay if you feel the need for one.