Pulling the cylinder head and exhaust manifold questions

[BigKriss]

for the m30 engine. can i pull the cylinder head off with the exhaust manifold not connected to the cylinder head but connected to the exhaust system still. the head will be to heavy for me to pull with the exhaust manifold attached but just getting it past the bolts to remove and still connected to the exhaust system is proving difficult.

[Rus]

I would not do that simply because of those metal bellow joints that allow the exhaust pipes to flex. I doubt they'd like to support the weight of the manifolds. Why not just loosen the 4 nuts that hold the manifolds to the exhaust pipes and remove the manifolds before pulling the head? Its pretty easy to do if the car is on jackstands or ramps and you won't risk damaging the flexible piping.

[BigKriss]

yes i will do that. thanks Rus.