Skilled mechanics can do it in 4 hours. As a unskilled YouTube mechanic, I can probably get it done by myself under 7 hours with the wrong tools.
Here are a couple of tips:
- The fan nuts are a PIA. I use extra long wrench (10mm I think) to take those off. Most gear wrench style wrenches are too short.
- the AC pump is a PIA to remove. It’s easiest to access the four super long (12mm?) bolts via the drivers side wheel well. I suggest taking off the drivers side tire for easy access.
- long handle bent nose pliers are super handy to remove all the hose clamps.
- take photos of everywhere the vacuum hoses go with respect to the throttle and idle controllers.
- the intake has a combination of short and long bolts. Super easy to keep straight, but know that there are a total of 10 bolts into the manifold below the intake, and that in the rear, there are two bolts. One of them is hard to see, unpleasant to reach, but it’s there. Actually, I don’t know why I mention that, as I don’t think you need to remove the intake to do the TB. I’m just in the habit of removing I guess
- I always remove the radiator to provide more working space. It’s easy and worth doing.
- The front plate that covers the pulleys and water pump has short and long bolts. Keep them organized. I drew a cardboard template for myself.
- the Earthquake XT cordless impact from Harbor Freight was able to remove my crank bolt without having the special jig
- there is a tiny tool from Amazon that pins your pulley in place that was very helpful. I’ll try to find mine and take a picture.
- take lots of reference photos along the way during disassembly.
here is a decent video to walk you through the process: