Blew Lower Intake Gasket

[Combs Customs]

Driving around tonight to get gas before the $0.25 rise, pulled into the gas station and noticed a trail. Coolant pouring down the back of the block. Got it all torn apart and with 228,000 miles, there is NO sludge in the valve covers or in the intake valley.

Took the time to remove my heater box that has a hole in it, to go ahead and replace it and pull the A/C comp. out.

I've been anticipating this, I had just expected to regasket the whole motor while I was doing my 5-speed swap. Guess now all I have to gasket is the timing cover (seeping coolant) and the oil pan.

 

[MAKG]

Yeah, there is a coolant passage right against the back of the block there. Did you change out any of the core plugs as well?

 

[Combs Customs]

Not yet, but the 5-speed swap is happening very soon. I need to seal up my timing cover and oil pan at the same time. I'll just do core plugs while the engine is out of the truck.

 

[woodyedmiston]

While you are at it . . .

If your Ranger still has the plastic valve that controls the water going to the heater core (small plastic, four inlets-outlets -valve body on top) - change that puppy out while you are dinking with the motor. I didn't when I removed my motor and had to move coolant lines etc. out of the way. I'm guessing that I cracked the thing or I re-installed the hoses with a little bind. When it went I couldn't get off the freeway fast enough to keep the motor from overheating. A new one is cheap ($15-18) at Autozone. The old one actually seemed "rotten" after I got it off. Just a thought.