99 ford ranger 4x4 xlt 3.0 v flex engine head gasket repair

[THEJOKER]

Hi Guys,
I'm new in this forum, I just trying some tips or opinions about my ranger.
I bought 2 weeks ago a 1999 ford ranger xlt 4x4, 3.0 V Flex engine, couple days ago I got a overheating problem, bubbles in my coolant reservoir, dirty and rusty (brown) coolant inside to my radiator.
I made a flush radiator and i cleaned, so to make sure that everything are ok with the truck, i made the head gasket test with a rented tester for Autozone and i get a blown head gasket, because the tester liquid changed to yellow color.
My question is can i pull out the head cylinder to send it to the machine shop to rebuilt it and change all of the gasket for my self without taking out the whole engine?
I asking because i guy on Autozone told me that in this kind of engine (3.0 v flex) you can't do this repair, he says that you need take the engine out.
I don't if this guy is correct or is a liar.
I'll appreciate your help guys!
Thank you

Juan

 

[stmitch]

The engine does not have to be removed to replace the head gaskets.
Make sure you get brand new head bolts when you put it back together. DO NOT reuse head bolts on the 3.0

 

[THEJOKER]

Thank you for your tip. I will need change of timing chain too?

 

[cp2295]

Hi Guys,
I'm new in this forum, I just trying some tips or opinions about my ranger.
I bought 2 weeks ago a 1999 ford ranger xlt 4x4, 3.0 V Flex engine, couple days ago I got a overheating problem, bubbles in my coolant reservoir, dirty and rusty (brown) coolant inside to my radiator.
I made a flush radiator and i cleaned, so to make sure that everything are ok with the truck, i made the head gasket test with a rented tester for Autozone and i get a blown head gasket, because the tester liquid changed to yellow color.
My question is can i pull out the head cylinder to send it to the machine shop to rebuilt it and change all of the gasket for my self without taking out the whole engine?
I asking because i guy on Autozone told me that in this kind of engine (3.0 v flex) you can't do this repair, he says that you need take the engine out.
I don't if this guy is correct or is a liar.
I'll appreciate your help guys!
Thank you

Juan

To replace the gasket:

You gotta remove the upper and lower intake manifolds, air cleaner tube, unbolt the exhaust manifolds from the flanges on the pipe (or unbolt the manifolds from the heads), remove the upper coolant hose, t stat housing.. Just pretty much anything that's obstructing the heads from being removed..

Oh also obviously valve covers, pushrods, rocker arms, and lifters

Can't think of any other obstructions.. But if you see them get em out of there!!

 

[cp2295]

If you need some pics of the Haynes manuals instructions I got one so let me know

 

[Milillo02]

Does the manual say which way the gaskets should b installed? I'm not talking about the top or bottom, but mainly the front or rear...the gaskets I have, Jane open elongated holes on one end of gasket and closed(no elongated hole) on the other end...when I installed them per fel-pro instructions, both open elongated holes ended up on the rear of engine and no open holes on front..Is that normal? Thank you..

This is for a 2000 ranger, 3.0 flex fuel, 4x4 xlt

 

[enjr44]

Does the manual say which way the gaskets should b installed? I'm not talking about the top or bottom, but mainly the front or rear...the gaskets I have, Jane open elongated holes on one end of gasket and closed(no elongated hole) on the other end...when I installed them per fel-pro instructions, both open elongated holes ended up on the rear of engine and no open holes on front..Is that normal? Thank you..

This is for a 2000 ranger, 3.0 flex fuel, 4x4 xlt

See post #7 of this thread:
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=159453