New guy, 92 Explorer problem

[hawkman]

Hey everyone, hope you can fill me in a little.

I have had this 92 Explorer since new, now has 139000 on it. The other day I went to start it up and the engine was missing, after a few minuites it cleared up and I thought nothing of it until I was driving home from the ridge and the temp gage went sky hi. Pulled over and poured water in the rad and did so every 25 miles to get home (150 mile trip)

It seemed like the coolant was being pushed back into the resivoir comming down the road, little did I know that most of it was comming out the exaust.

It stumbles when I first start it but clears up and runs smooth at idle and upon acceleration, even with coolant running through the combustion chamber(s).

Looks like its time for the top end to come off for new gaskets and I was wondering if anyone has done this job on a 1992. Among other things I was wondering what my chances of just getting away with a gasket job might be? Were there any or much issues with cavatation, porosity, head warpage or any other issues? Can tdhe old heads even be reused? Any tricks, hints or gotchas in doing this job?

I was thinking of doing a valve job, lifters, cam if necessary while I was there.

The thing holds good oil pressure (60 at speed) has a good trans in it, new front end and brakes and has served me well over the years. Believe me, it has been run hard, about 50k of those miles have been on fire trails and ridgeline roads on tops of mountains (got to get to the top first) spitting out rocks the size of suit cases. It just a bit too difficult for me to junk it at this point. I'm a raptor bander for the feds (22 years) so you can probably imagine the things this truck has seen, its my # 1 choice for this work. Its small enough to make it through the overgrown and closed in trails, between trees and big enough to carry everything I need. (the damper under the horn cover is long gone from all the pounding just incase you are wondering) This vehicles life would have made an excellent Ford commercal.

Thank You,

Scott

 

[whocares]

Welcome, good first post. I havent done headgaskets on an explorer before, so I cant be of much help there. I can say that while you have the top end apart for the headgaskets, I would definitely take the opportunity to replace the wear parts that you mentioned. Get the heads checked for cracks and/or warpage if it got very hot. Sorry I couldnt be of much help, but trust me, someone will have this answered for you before very long.

 

[adsm08]

Well, I'd tear it down, and get the heads checked. The 4.0 isn't as bad about cracking heads as the 2.9 was, but there have been a few recorded cases of engines that crack them left and right, all the time.