Cracked head or Head Gasket

[Ryannn]

I know I have one of the two, how do I tell wich one I have, and Where would I buy the parts? and would I replace it? Thanks.

 

[Bronco_Chuck]

Pull the head in question and see. I personally don't know of any way to tell which one it is without pulling it apart.

 

[ashleyroachclip]

Pull the spark plugs , and using a cooling system pressure testing kit you should be able to tell which one it is.
I would just pull them both and have then checked at the machine shop.
You can usually see the cracks once removed.
I have read that others are buying heads off the Bay from Patriot or something like that .

 

[--weezl--]

you also should be able to see if it's a bad head gasket when you pull the heads, as the gasket will be blown...

 

[Ryannn]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-FORD-EXPLORER-BRONCO-RANGER-2-9-OHV-CYLINDER-HEADS-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27b514a5e7QQitemZ170541753831QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

What do you guys think about this? Im thinking about just replacing both...

 

[Mutant Pony]

2.9? most likely cracked head.

 

[--weezl--]

pull the heads, find out the problem, go from there!

for all you know, you could have a cracked block, so don't go buying parts till you know what the issue is...

 

[Ryannn]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-FORD-EXPLORER-BRONCO-RANGER-2-9-OHV-CYLINDER-HEADS-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27b514a5e7QQitemZ170541753831QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

So do these look good?!

 

[--weezl--]

they look like a part you probably don't need...

don't bother buying them!

 

[gwaii]

my personal experience?


i've seen more cracked heads than i can remember on 2.9s....i've never seen a bad head gasket,at least where the head wasn't cracked too.

 

[Ryannn]

Do you guys think it would be cheaper to just buy an Explorer to take the 4.0 and the Axles?

 

[--weezl--]

possibly... how cheap can you get an expo?

 

[Ryannn]

possibly... how cheap can you get an expo?

Dunno, Pry under 1000$.
Where is the best place to look?

 

[--weezl--]

craigs list, people's alley... go for a drive, see if you can find one that looks like it hasn't moved for a while... go knock on the door of the house it's sitting at ask them if they would be interested in selling it... these people would probably be the cheapest way possible as a little extra cash and more room in the driveway is always nice to have, especially when someone one offers both to you...

FWIW, i bought an 88 f-250 with a 460, manual trans, manual t/c manual hubs, super cab long box, running driving, for $460 and drove it for about a year, maybe more, did nothing more than the hubs (kind of, once) replaced the battery, and filled the tank...

 

[Destroyer000]

stay away from those heads on ebay from odyessa cylinder head.. i bought a set for my 4.0 and have an awful clatter..... everything was new.. pushrods, cam, rocker assembly.. my buddy also got one for his 2.5 and he had the machine shop look it over and the valves were not even seating correctly.. had to be regrinded.