ok after calling around for a price on getting my head gasket replaced the cheapest quote i got was $980
     
so i'm back to saying screw it i'll do it myself.  i'm familiar around a suzuki motor...not my 16v so much, but it's all relative i'm sure  

so i'm working from a Haynes repair manual.  and it basically says i need to remove and drain everything down to the block practically....but my last post it was mentioned by someone that i don't need to remove as much of the stuff as Hayes suggested....haynes went a little overkill i guess.

so my question is.....
what do i REALLY need to do to replace the head gasket on a 16v, and what other tools will i need outside of a basic mechanics set of tools? (i.e. ratchet/socket wrench, pliers, screwdrivers...etc.)
and do i really need to drain my radiator to replace the head?  

thank you all for your help in advance

BLEW ONE SUNDAY. PUT A NEW ONE IN TODAY. DID IT AT WORK THE BOSS IS PRETTY COOL ABOUT THOSE THINGS. AS LONG AS I KEEP THE OTHER GUYS BUSY I CAN DO WHAT I WANT. ITS GOOD TO BE IN CHARGE . TOOK A FEW HOURS. PULL THE RADIATOR MAKES IT EASIER TO PULL THE FRONT OF THE ENGINE APART

                           ROSS

Pull the radiator. If you have the standard exhaust, not headers just undo the flange to the manifold. The EFI and intake manifold can stay on. You'll need to remove the crank pulley and timing cover. I had to pull the cam to get to the head bolts. Didn't need to bleed the A/C. Label your hoses when you remove them and set the engine to TDC on #1. Get a chain wrench and I found a couple of discrepancies with what the crank pulley and head bolts were supposed to be but Suzuki does tend to change things from time to time. I'd never done this before but I just took my time and it all came apart OK.

cool, thanks guys, Haynes was telling me to remove both manifolds and the entire fuel system    basically tearing down the whole engine.  i know i did this in my sammy and never had to do all that...so i was like....um, ok.