Well, I assume I have either a bad head gasket or a cracked head, so I'm trying to get the darn thing out. I got out both rows of bolts holding the head in, except the far lower left one.

I am bolcked from getting to it by a large,thick curved piece of metal that also prevents me from getting the alternator out. It seems to have a bolt holding it in placed it the far back of it, I can't get that one out because of the small space and because the blot I can't get out on the head keeps gouging my hand when I try to get my 14mm open-end-wrench in there.

So, I can't the head out because of one bolt, because the curved piece is in the way, and I can't get the curved piece out because of that bolt.

Is there some trick I don't know or some special tool I need to do this?

I am a genealogist, not a car repair person, and I don't have the money to have this done professionally. It was apparently broken when I bought it, and I've been trying to fix it ever since I first drove it home, and I'm making car payments to boot!

Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Anybody who barters Escort car repair should contact me. I can do other things much better.

It's a 96 Escort LX with no trunk and racks on top.

Sandy AIM: SANDY 8771

I've read your narrative a number of times trying to figure out what you are saying....
To remove the alternator: Remove the belt adjustment bolt (15MM?), remove the belt.
Remove the alternator wiring harness.
Loosen the larger bolt (17 -18MM) holding the alternator to the bracket. Slide the bolt toward the Right front fender until the alternator is free.
You should be able to remove the alternator bracket at this point.

Well, I assume I have either a bad head gasket or a cracked head, so I'm trying to get the darn thing out. I got out both rows of bolts holding the head in, except the far lower left one.

I am bolcked from getting to it by a large,thick curved piece of metal that also prevents me from getting the alternator out. It seems to have a bolt holding it in placed it the far back of it, I can't get that one out because of the small space and because the blot I can't get out on the head keeps gouging my hand when I try to get my 14mm open-end-wrench in there.

So, I can't the head out because of one bolt, because the curved piece is in the way, and I can't get the curved piece out because of that bolt.

Is there some trick I don't know or some special tool I need to do this?

I am a genealogist, not a car repair person, and I don't have the money to have this done professionally. It was apparently broken when I bought it, and I've been trying to fix it ever since I first drove it home, and I'm making car payments to boot!

Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Anybody who barters Escort car repair should contact me. I can do other things much better.

It's a 96 Escort LX with no trunk and racks on top.

Sandy AIM: SANDY 8771

photos could help also

The alternator bracket itself does not have to be removed to get the
head off. I would STRONGLY reccomend you buy a chiltons of haynes
manuel, head removal and replacement is a BIG job!