88 2.9 is over heating

[MikeyFord3]

Yeah my truck is starting to over heat. The truck doesn't show that its over heating. When i drive for a while then turn it off i can hear the engine boil kind of, so i opened the hood and the radiator isnt hot or anything it just seems like its coming from the heads. Im also loosing coolant and i have no idea where it is going. The truck then starts to like buck when i hit like 45 mph?
Its missing im guessing. I have read some things on the forums im guessing it could be a head gasket. Any ideas? and if it is a head gasket what should i do just buy new ones?

any info would be gladly appreciated

-Mike

 

[Beanmachine7000]

More than likely a cracked head rather than head gasket... They like to crack if overheated even a little...

 

[baddis]

do you have a sweet smell from the exhaust? or if you start the truck with the radiator cap off does it blow antifreeze out? these are symptoms of a bad head gasket / cracked head.

 

[Tedybear]

Change your oil...or at the very least pull the dipstick and examine the oil. If it looks less like oil, and more like a milkshake? That'll be coolant in the oil system. If not treated fast? It'll destroy the bearings in short order.

S-

 

[MikeyFord3]

the truck doesnt blow anti freeze out when i start the truck and the oil looks fine

 

[cocoasranger]

I would make sure the radiator cap was the correct one and in good shape. Make sure the hose from the radiator to recovery tank is good and tight. Also make sure there are no air pockets in the cooling system and that the water /coolant mix ratio is correct.

You could have your cooling system pressure tested which would confirm any leaks and pinpoint whether they were in the radiator, water pump, etc.

 

[Cyberbeer]

My 87 was overheating when I put a new 2.9 in it, after the old one blew a head and killed bearings. There was so much gunk in the new rad that it was overheating. After replacing the rad and backflushing the system for 10 mins that fixed the problem.

Also check the recovery tank, I had a leak I couldnt find until I started fooling around with the tank. I agree with cocoasranger start simple and check the cap.

To get rid of air bubbles start the truck and let it heat up without the rad cap on. Let it run 10-15 mins warmed up and look for bubbles popping up in the filler neck. Helps to put the truck on ramps or jack the front, just make sure to block the rear wheels and have the ebrake on.

 

[dangerranger88]

Do a compression check on cylinders. You more than likely have a worn gasket or cracked head. The thermostat cold as also be stuck.
I had the same problem with my '88. i checked the compression on each cylinder and everything was fine. nothing in the oil. no diff smell in the exhaust. i even bought a new radiator and clutch fan. Turned out that the pump in the transmission for the trans fluid wasnt working right and when it would get hot it would heat up my cooling system because of the lines running to the radiator that were supposed to cool it down.

 

[MikeyFord3]

yeah so i found out the other day i blew a head gasket so now my question is what should i do?
should i just buy a new 2.9L or replace the head gaskets?
or how hard would a 4.0 swap be

 

[Psychopete]

yeah so i found out the other day i blew a head gasket so now my question is what should i do?
should i just buy a new 2.9L or replace the head gaskets?

You'd want to have the heads magnafluxed and reworked by a shop IMO. No sense in doing all of the work only to install a bad set of heads. There are aftermarket replacements that are ready to bolt on. J/y 2.9L would be an option, but is a big time crap shoot. Same w/ j/y heads.

or how hard would a 4.0 swap be

Depends on your ability. Many say it's easy (easier said than done), but for someone new to this stuff, I could see it being quite difficult. It would probably take me a while because I am not well verse with the EFI wiring between the 2.9L and 4.0L. FWIW, It would be worth it in the long run if you could pull it off.

Pete

 

[MikeyFord3]

thanks psychopete. Now getting the heads magnafluxed? What exactly does that do?

 

[Psychopete]

thanks psychopete. Now getting the heads magnafluxed? What exactly does that do?

They put them in a solution that contains iron and place the heads under a powerful magnet. This causes the iron to go into any cracks / defects which they can see under a UV light.

They will probably also recommend a valve job.

Pete