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Help with instructions/guide on doing headgasket job on this engine


MadMax_636

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2019
Messages
547
Age
30
City
Georgia
Vehicle Year
1984
Engine
2.8 V6
Transmission
Manual
Total Lift
However much it goes up when I get my fat ass out.
Total Drop
How much it goes down when my fat ass gets in.
Tire Size
Dry rot and old
I have looked for hours and I cant find anything online regarding the 2.8L. Not even the Chilton's book includes this info.

Could someone link me to a guide on how to do this or tell me in the comments.

The reason Im suspecting I have a blow head gasket is because Ive noticed a small amount of creamy looking substance on my dipstick (Water/coolant in oil) Ive also developed a weird misfire when I blip the throttle when I shift or leaving from a stop. It sounds like its in between cylinders and then it travels down the exhaust and down the pipes.

It might be nothing but id like to replace the 37 year old head gaskets to help with compression and keep my engine running right.
 
If there is nothing wrong with the old gaskets, replacing them won't help compression.
You can test for head gasket problems getting into the radiator system with the glove test. RonD has a good explanation for doing the test, search for it using his name in the query.
Also invest in a vacuum gauge. It can tell a lot about how an engine is performing.;

 
If there is nothing wrong with the old gaskets, replacing them won't help compression.
You can test for head gasket problems getting into the radiator system with the glove test. RonD has a good explanation for doing the test, search for it using his name in the query.
Also invest in a vacuum gauge. It can tell a lot about how an engine is performing.;


I do have a vacuum gauge. The intake vacuum has not really been effected.
Idk if it was because my coolant was warm/hot but I might have seen steam coming out of my radiator cap. No bubbles forming or showing in the rad. I also didn't mention it in my original post. I do not have any smoke coming out of my tail pipe or from anywhere from the exhaust system.
 
If you have compression gases getting into the coolant system, you shoukd see lots of bubbling in the overflow tank. But a small leak might not be as noticeable. Check spark plugs, if one cylinder is getting water in the spark plug will be "steam cleaned".
 
If you have compression gases getting into the coolant system, you shoukd see lots of bubbling in the overflow tank. But a small leak might not be as noticeable. Check spark plugs, if one cylinder is getting water in the spark plug will be "steam cleaned".
I did just that after the engine cooled down. I checked a plug and they seem fine. Not steam cleaned but a nice clean burning tint (ARF)
 
If the only real reason you suspect a head gasket is some moisture in the oil you may want to simply check that the pcv system is functioning. All engines have moisture in them when cold, the pcv system clears this out. No pcv and moisture continually builds up.
 
If the only real reason you suspect a head gasket is some moisture in the oil you may want to simply check that the pcv system is functioning. All engines have moisture in them when cold, the pcv system clears this out. No pcv and moisture continually builds up.

Thanks, My oil cap has a breather on it as well. Which should let the steam out of it right?
Should a long ish drive help burn off the moisture in the oil and cleaned it out?

Also, Another reason I suspect a blown head gasket is because of the weird misfire and a bit of a hanging idle when I blip the throttle. (Blown in between cylinders)
 
A proper pcv system should have a pcv valve on one valve cover going to full vacuum (any port below the throttle plate) and then a fresh air vent on the opposite valve cover going to a vent above the throttle plate but breathers work OK too.

Yes long drive will cook off the moisture as frequent short trips cause excessive moisture buildup as well.
 
A proper pcv system should have a pcv valve on one valve cover going to full vacuum (any port below the throttle plate) and then a fresh air vent on the opposite valve cover going to a vent above the throttle plate but breathers work OK too.

Yes long drive will cook off the moisture as frequent short trips cause excessive moisture buildup as well.

Thanks, My uncle who used to be a mechanic (worked on porches and fords) said the same thing. He told me to keep an eye on everything.
 
I have looked for hours and I cant find anything online regarding the 2.8L. Not even the Chilton's book includes this info.

Could someone link me to a guide on how to do this or tell me in the comments.

The reason Im suspecting I have a blow head gasket is because Ive noticed a small amount of creamy looking substance on my dipstick (Water/coolant in oil) Ive also developed a weird misfire when I blip the throttle when I shift or leaving from a stop. It sounds like its in between cylinders and then it travels down the exhaust and down the pipes.

It might be nothing but id like to replace the 37 year old head gaskets to help with compression and keep my engine running right.

This is from an old 83-92 Haynes Ranger and Bronco II
 

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This is from an old 83-92 Haynes Ranger and Bronco II
THANK YOU!!!!! Its sad how the new ones dont have this level of detail anymore.
 
I hope it works for ya Max
 
UPDATE: After I got home and the engine was all nice and warm. I pulled the radiator cap and I could see bubbles forming. Could this be the head gasket or the water pump forming them? I cant remember if its done this is the past (The bubbles when running) since I never really felt the need to watch the coolant when the engine is running.
 
Pretty sure it can go either way through those head gaskets Max. far as I know they're the main line of defense there
 
You might want to have the heads checked when you take them off
 

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