When I do LIM gasket replacements, I will unscrew the front knock sensor, which is located just above the starter screwed into the block, and that will FULLY drain the coolant out of the engine so you can pull the LIM.
Even with the block drained, the LIM will still hold some coolant, so when you pull it off, keep it as level as you can to avoid unwanted spills, and yes...I always do a oil change right away after doing a LIM gasket change regardless of how careful you are.
As for the job at hand, the kits will come with the two main gaskets, and the two that run on the front and back of the block. Once everything is removed, and the old gasket areas are VERY clean, and degreased well, i will put RTV on the top, and on the bottom of the two short pieces that run on either end of the block to insure a good seal. You also want to put RTV in the very corners where the gaskets from the heads meet these short ones.
Your bolts for the T-stat housing are M8x1.25.
~F~
