I guess I took too long to get around to adressing my cooling system issues because when I did on Saturday the radiator was pretty clogged and the top half was full of chocolate milk.

So now I'm in the middle of a head gasket job and I have a few questions.

1. Most of the exhast nuts were seized to the studs, and the studs came out of the head. Should I replace all of these?

2. Is there anything that can/should be done about the carbon deposits on the piston crowns while they are right there looking at me?

3. I haven't started this part yet, but it looks like it will be tough to get the old gasket material off of the block. Anyone have any tips for getting that surface clean?

4. While everything is so easily accessed, I'm doing lots of little fixes and replacements. Anything you absolutely would not let go undone while the head and manifold are off?

5. I'm going to replace the wiring harness that goes to the ignition control unit next to the coolant overflow tank (rotten wires). Is there a trick to getting the harness connector off of the ICU?

By the way, I'm doing this on the side of the road so I don't have the benefit of shop tools.