easiest way to check for blown head gasket

[locknar]

not to mention the missing pieces.

 

[evanesce69]

options

Ok, here are my options.....

1) rebuild the current set of heads, 99.95 each for magnaflux, clean grind valves. replace exhaust valves, $15 each. cost of seals extra. Total is about $300 giving a ample amount of cushion incase of extra work needed.

2) purchace an exchange set of heads for $225 each and use current hardware, rockers and valves. still $15 each exhaust valve. Total in the range of $600.

3) Ive located an engine from a 92 Taurus with 95K on it for $300. Cost of head set is $99.95, making total in the area of $450.


So any way i go i am out a good chunk of change. My curiosity is which way you guys would go? What is your opinion?






Rob

 

[sbsumerix]

oh and since i got here late a way to check for bad head gaskets is take a volt meter and put one lead in the radiator coolant and one lead on the battery if theres any voltage you have a leak

 

[jamesdem1123]

if it were a cracked block wouldn't coolant seep into either the cylinder and cause white smoke or in the oil while the engine sat?

 

[evanesce69]

cracked block

i really dont want to think cracked block, but i suppose i cant rule it out. now i am gonna have to pull the rest of that P.O.S. 3.0 just to make sure it isn't cracked. Thanks for the idea!



Rob

 

[evanesce69]

used block

i found a used motor from a 94 ranger in pocohontas IL, the home town of country music singer Gretchen Wilson. She is a hottie! WOOT!




I'd like to quote one of beef52751 signatures about now, guess which one?


Rob

 

[shaffer20]

Ok, here are my options.....

1) rebuild the current set of heads, 99.95 each for magnaflux, clean grind valves. replace exhaust valves, $15 each. cost of seals extra. Total is about $300 giving a ample amount of cushion incase of extra work needed.

2) purchace an exchange set of heads for $225 each and use current hardware, rockers and valves. still $15 each exhaust valve. Total in the range of $600.

3) Ive located an engine from a 92 Taurus with 95K on it for $300. Cost of head set is $99.95, making total in the area of $450.


So any way i go i am out a good chunk of change. My curiosity is which way you guys would go? What is your opinion?






Rob

do an engine swap if you do find that your block is cracked. if its not i would go with option #2. looking at those valves makes me think the heads might be severly warped. it takes quite a bit of heat or a good old fashioned hydrolock to do that kind of damage to the valves. if you do repair this engine run some seafoam through her. itll get rid of all that nasty buildup.

 

[evanesce69]

the results......

well, i went with rebuilding the current heads. They were resurfaced dipped and magnafluxed. There were two small repairable cracks in the deck. Two exhaust seats were replaced and all six exhaust valves needed replaced. Total cost for the repair was a little over $395.00. That combined with the $150.00 for gaskets and bolts and misc sealer set me back about $550.00.

But, when everything was put back together and timed, it fired up on the first crank. I can drive highway in 5th now and the fuel economy has almost doubled. It has a nice throaty sound and is peppy in the lower RPM's.

A little funny story though, when i was putting the exhaust gaskets a day or so later after locating some new bolts, i forgot to reinstall the #'s 1,2,5 and 6 plug wires. I started the engine and it ran on only two cylinders. It wouldn't even run before the heads were rebuilt and gaskets replaced. I have new found respect for this motor!




Rob