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2.9L Head ?'s


sledhead999

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I have a '90 Bronco II w/ the 2.9L V6 with a head/gasket issue leak. Its burning oil/coolant in #3 cylinder drivers side.

I'm wondering what my options are. I'd like to replace the head with a better aftermarket design if possible. I've seen World Products mentioned as a good replacement, but they are no longer making them anymore. Nearest I cant tell, that leaves King and Odessa aka Clearwater heads. On the 'bay Odessa doesn't have the greatest feedback. King looks like a good product, but kinda spendy also. Short of those two, re-man is the only other option.

The casting # on my head doesn't line up either, is the 86TM the better Euro head for the Merkur?


If I keep this engine, w/o doing a 4.0L conversion, I'm tempted to replace both cylinder heads because of the amount of work to tear it down to that point.

This motor has had some valve ticking also, but I've read it can be injectors instead.


What should I do? This will only be used as an off highway light trail rig.
 


RonD

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Good read here on the 2.9l engine: http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/2_9_Page.shtml

The improved head design were first used on '89 models, so you should have those already on a '90, but casting number should be 89TM, look at your rocker pedestals to see what you have, the 3rd party heads are the same as these, just sometimes easier to get.
Look for 89TM used or rebuilt.

Yes Ford injectors are loud, but rocker noise is louder.
 

shortzt

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For what you would have in a pair of new heads, and then finding out you need pushrods because the oil passage got clogged then the pushrod mushroomed from lack of oil, you'll have about the same in a 4.0 swap, just my 2 cents but as RonD stateted, he covered the 2.9 heads
 

sledhead999

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Thanks for the link RonD, I've looked that page over earlier...

I'm not positive the head is cracked but I have a sneaking suspicion it is. I have a donor '88 that I might just rob the heads off of it.

Any experience with either Odessa or King heads?
 

kunar

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Thanks for the link RonD, I've looked that page over earlier...

I'm not positive the head is cracked but I have a sneaking suspicion it is. I have a donor '88 that I might just rob the heads off of it.

Any experience with either Odessa or King heads?
whats the condition of the engine in the 88? if i were in this situation, id consider swapping in the donor engine instead of doing heads. same amount of work really, if you have the tools and the place to do it, but no additional expense of gaskets and head bolts, etc.

beyond that, an engine swap like was discussed earlier may be the way to go. two new heads is a lot of time and money spent, and in the end its still a 2.9, if you wanna upgrade maybe now is the time.
 

sledhead999

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The engine/trans is probably the only good things on this donor '88, everything else is in rough shape. I've robbed the accessories off of it over the years (alt, starter, etc).
 

sledhead999

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Well, the head is definitely cracked!






Kinda leaning towards picking up a King replacement head...
 

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