Have a good one for you all...

[sharkster]

I have a 1986 B2, 4X4, auto... the idle seemed a bit off, so I replaced the throttle position sensor and the fuel pressure regulator.

Started up the old girl when all of a sudden, white smoke poured out the exhaust, and she was missing like crazy. The left head gasket let loose right after I changed the regulator. This would have to happen 2 weeks after I got it state inspected.

Anyone else have this happen to you??

Needless to say, she is going to be up for sale soon. I put alot of work into her, now this hits me.

Just curious if it's just me, or anyone else have the same prob??

Thanks for letting me vent...

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

2.9's like to blow head gaskets and crack heads...kind of their nature.

why not just repair it? you'll only be out $100 - less then the cost of another truck.

 

[Psychopete]

2.9's like to blow head gaskets

This would be the first instance that I had ever heard of . They like to crack heads like no other, though!

Even if it were a blown head gasket, it will still cost because it would be a wise move to take the head to a machine shop and have them checked out and re-worked. Even if it is just a blown head gasket, it has probably been overheated, and the heads are probably cracked or warped.

Pete

 

[sharkster]

The head can be repaired if it is cracked? If so, I didn't know that.

It actually spewed coolant onto the manifold before I shut it off.

I checked out prices of replacement heads online. Not very pretty, that's why I was thinking of selling it. I really like the truck tho.
How did you come up with the price of $100? I know the gasket kits aren't too bad. If it only costs that much, I will keep her.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

ive replaced blown head gaskets on 3 different 2.9's.

grab a set of heads from the junkyard, inspect them for cracks and check for straightness, throw new gaskets under them, and away you go for a little more than a benjamin.

 

[sharkster]

Sweet! That's definitely the way to go. I was hoping to use the truck this winter since my F-150 is only 2WD.

Thanks for all the great info. Just raised my spirits back up!

 

[AllanD]

where are you getting a head gasket set WITH the REQUIRED headbolts for a benjamin?

Frankly a junkyard ENGINE is probably a better bet.

Then again, if he had an '89-92 I'd tell him only an idiot replaces a 2.9 in
a Gen2 with another 2.9 (swapping a 4.0 just so EASY on a Gen2...)

AD

 

[mjonesjr]

Then again, if he had an '89-92 I'd tell him only an idiot replaces a 2.9 in
a Gen2 with another 2.9 (swapping a 4.0 just so EASY on a Gen2...)

AD

From the research I have done on a 4.0 swap in a Gen 1 isn't all that hard.

 

[2ranger87]

From the research I have done on a 4.0 swap in a Gen 1 isn't all that hard.

Although I agree with swapping in a 4.0, he'll also have to go shopping for a transmission. A 2.9 a4ld will not last behind a 4.0.

Not to mention, all the other "parts" needed to make a 4.0 work. (like a starter, computer, and so on....)

Best bet would be another 2.9 from a wrecker.

Just my .02

 

[Will]

Friggin 2.9...

I wouldn't do a serious repair on a 2.9. I totally agree with AllanD--get a proven running 2.9 or swap in a 4.0.

If those seem insurmountable, Ebay the truck and try to keep it from the scrapper.

 

[Tedybear]

I must be the insane one of the group. LOL

Picked up ours with both heads cracked and/or blown head gaskets. Found a stormin' good deal on bare replacement heads from world products (160 for the pair shipped) About 80 for the gasket set, 45 for the bolts...major headache with the fuel injectors and a burnt wiring harness...etc...

It made that 2.9 run pretty good. Nailed the gas after all that work? The front end actually lifts up about 8".. It's got oversized tires on it, so they won't "Squeal" or peel out. Still have some odd smelling exhaust and it still likes to have whitish smoke, which I suspect is just excess condensation burning off. The truck only gets started once a week until it goes back on the road. It's got just over 1/3 a tank, with a full treatment of duralube and lucas injector cleaner---probably why the exhaust smells funky.

S-