Head gasket issue '87 ram50, 2.6

[SubGothius]

If the PO had just installed a new HG and verified the head was good, if you're lucky the head bolts might just need retorquing to spec.

Back off each bolt by 1/4 turn, going in the order shown at left for all bolts, then retorque them all in the order shown at right -- first to step 1) for all bolts on a cold engine, then to step 2) still cold, then warm up to full operating temp, and finally do step 3) while still hot. For the smaller bolts at the front, 18 Nm = 13.2 ft-lbs, and 156 in-lbs = 13 ft-lbs, but Haynes lists 15 ft-lbs, so 13-15 ft-lbs range is prolly fine.

[dodgy71]

If the PO had just installed a new HG and verified the head was good, if you're lucky the head bolts might just need retorquing to spec.

Back off each bolt by 1/4 turn, going in the order shown at left for all bolts, then retorque them all in the order shown at right -- first to step 1) for all bolts on a cold engine, then to step 2) still cold, then warm up to full operating temp, and finally do step 3) while still hot. For the smaller bolts at the front, 18 Nm = 13.2 ft-lbs, and 156 in-lbs = 13 ft-lbs, but Haynes lists 15 ft-lbs, so 13-15 ft-lbs range is prolly fine.

Thank you, I'll try that first and hope that cures it
If I end up pulling the head how tricky is keeping the timing and dist. in the same position so I don't get everything all outta whack? That's what worries me a little. Otherwise the HG seems a pretty simple job.