Rain and house repairs claiming what project time I have but I need my car badly so I went out just now to fix an error and get the head off finally. Machinist also wants extra $$ if I have him remove the camshaft before testing and resurfacing for flatness, so more new territory. But I cannot worry about that 'cause I am stuck again, anyway.
Here is the stuck area:
I cut the heater hose on left when nothing could budge it after 20 years and 260,000 miles. Used my grandfather in-law's old butchering saw (made in Hollywood!). He was owned a little grocery once upon a time:
Thx Pop-pop!
But I am stuck with this one: what is it and what besides penetrant can I used to get it loose? Honda FSM not helpful.
Lastly, when I took out the plugs there was an oily sludge on #4 (on the left) and a sweeter oily smell in cylinder #4. There was also a smell of gasoline in cylinder #2. Blown head gasket alright. Seems like oil and coolant mixing and even causing maybe minor misfiring. Honestly, the car was still running and idling and not overheating, so I hope I got to this early enough to save the block and head.
DUNNO WHY PICS KEEP GETTING ROTATED! LOL