When doing gaskets for 04 xkr any sugestions on ease of doing

 

For ease make sure to have complete 10MM sockets, wrenches and extensions. On my 2000 XK8 getting to some bolts fairly hard. Use sealant. On my car required at two area's but I used on the rest of gasket (sure others will disagree but you don't want to do it twice). Make sure to torque to specs and pattern.

 

You going to need a 1/4 inch drive socket set and a 1/4 drive torque wrench. You need to torque the fasteners to the required NM setting. One thing to make sure you do is the fasteners need to be turned in by hand/fingers until seated against the covers. They are metric fine thread and will cross thread in a HOT New York second. The coil cover bolts go into a brass insert that once cross threaded and tightened will pull the insert out. Guess how I know, been there done that. I only use dabs of sealant to hold the gasket in place for positioning and for the joint between the head and timing chain cover.
If your existing covers show leakage around any of the bolts buy new bolt seals if just leaking at the cover edges then the seals should be fine for reuse.
Keep track of which fastener is located where. Some have threads extended up for engine covers.
Last thing, don't be afraid to unbolt and move something out of the way if makes access easier. Take the extra time and to move it and in the end you will be ahead on the frustration level.
Good luck and happy wrenching!

 

Very important. +1 on your complete reply.