2003 Escape 4x4 V6 3.0 Duratec head gasket job

[MISWFL]

This is the engine that has a water pump on the transmission side of the engine that's belt driven from the front bank camshaft.

I'm working on a woman's POS Escape and it needs the head gaskets replaced. Has anyone on here done that job while it's in the vehicle? I'd pull the heads, inspect them, resurface them and put it back together. Looks like the hard part will be the timing chain.

Anything to watch out for with this engine?

 

[pjtoledo]

if the heads are warped you cannot simply get them cut and trued up.
on overhead cam engines the cam saddles are out of alignment when the head warps.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

if the heads are warped you cannot simply get them cut and trued up.
on overhead cam engines the cam saddles are out of alignment when the head warps.

Can they be line honed?

 

[MISWFL]

if the heads are warped you cannot simply get them cut and trued up.
on overhead cam engines the cam saddles are out of alignment when the head warps.

I've heard that concern many times and it doesn't seem to cause problems in real life. The engine is running now with heads that are possibly warped, without the 4 cams breaking.

I've had many warped VW 4 cylinder water cooled cylinder heads resurfaced over the years, especially Diesels, without any problems with the overhead cam. Most were resurfaced on what's basically a big upside-down belt sander. Many were my personal vehicles that I drove for years.

 

[MISWFL]

Can they be line honed?

See my other reply. Never had an issue just resurfacing them and bolting them on.

 

[pjtoledo]

Can they be line honed?

no idea about cost or feasibility.