Update on progress...
I did rent a harmonic balancer puller the other day but I could not use it. Looks like I needed M8x1.5 bolts to fit the balancer and the kit I rented only had M8x1.25 ones. I ended up tapping the balancer with a rubber mallet and I was able to pull it off.
Tonight I was able to get both heads out of the truck.
My next steps are to try and remove the exhaust manifolds from the heads since they are out of the truck now. I plan to take the heads to the machine shop hopefully by the end of the week. I'm still waiting on my parts to arrive specifically the gasket set which contains valve seals. I want to have those with me when I go to the machine shop.
All in all this has been a tedious job. With the exception of prepping the engine block surface and sealing the timing cover I am not too worried about putting the truck back together. All of the bolts have been bagged along the way. I am a bit worried about all of the harnesses and how they route through the engine area. Hopefully it will be easy on reassembly.
Here are some pics...
Heads ready to come out.
Driver's side w/ gasket removed.
Drivers side head (valve side)
Both heads w/ exhaust manifolds attached.