2.4 help needed

[alerored04]

A week ago I purchased a 00 GA 2.4 on CL for $250. It has 220k on it. The reason it is so cheap is low compression and power loss. The previous owner was knowledgeable and had begun disassembly on it thinking it was a severely blown head gasket or valve issues. He no longer had the time for it so unloaded it to me very cheap. I figured at that price if I could not get it running, I could part it out and easily recoup my investment.

Here is my problem. I have never touched a 2.4 before so this is all new territory.

Previous owner managed to get the timing cover off and stopped there. Today I got out my haynes manual and got to work. I removed the exhaust manifold, the timing chain, and cam gears. I removed what I believe to be all the bolts for the water pump and the back side of the timing case. The issue now is that I am not able to remove either of these two. The timing case is loose on the top and I am able to move it away from the cam towers but the bottom is still obviously held on there. I removed the 4 10mm bolts from the oil pan to the timing case and it is still on there solid. On the water pump I got all of the 8 and 10mm bolts. I removed 3 15mm bolts from the transaxle mount for the pump. The haynes shows 5 in a picture. I can feel one more but it seems like it has a weird shape that does not allow me to get a socket on it. What am I missing here? Also what is the best way to get at this stuff? I am working from the top and it is a total bitch.

Remember in your responses that I have very little experience with this motor so detailed explanations may be necessary.
Thanks for any ideas.

[Redog]

I also have very little experience in this area as well, but if I was you, I would just yank the motor out and work on it just to give yourself more room

[widbyj]

Pulling the motor is good advice. There are several places I cannot get my hands to that are easy once it's out.

[alerored04]

I have been considering that. I have the hands of a gorrilla so it really sucks.

[robalero]

p.s.

I spent $400 to buy my alero and all it needed to pass safety was 1 wheel bearing, rear sway bar bushings, 1 rear strut mount and one license plate bulb ( and bondo for the hood since previous owner had a bra on it and it rusted thru ) and he even gave me a wheel bearing. total cost for me to put it in my name and do the work was $800 including new spark plugs ( wasn't needed but done none the less )

[alerored04]

The point of this post is? This is my second flip car but my first 2.4. The other was a GT so it had the 3400 which I have practically memorized inside and out.

Anyone help me out here?

[Cliff8928]

http://ion-productions.com/2000_2_4_Engine_Overhaul.pdf