Replacing gaskets to fix leaks...anything else to look for?

[burley68]

I have a 1990 Ranger Super 4.0L with 185k miles. The engine uses oil (a quart almost every 2000 miles). It slowly uses coolant too, but I'm not sure if the engine is really burning either. It has external oil leaks that started out as nuisance leaks but are getting worse and I don't smell or see either in the exhaust, but I can smell coolant from the engine compartment (no visible leaks though). There's no performance problems - starts fine, idles fine and gets up and goes! Also does okay on gas - been pretty consistent since I've had it (average 270 miles on a tank).

Bottom line, I plan is to get a master gasket kit and swap them all out (already read the posts on FoMoCo vs. FelPro gaskets) cause I'm tired of all the leaks on the driveway and the smell of coolant and oil burning off on the engine. I hadn't planned on a rebuild unless it's absolutely necessary (hoping to fix as I go), but I'd like others' opinions on what else I should look for.

Thanks

 

[Downey]

i have the same problem i loss coolant slowly and oil too but im not burning it off. idk where it goes

 

[Toms01PSD]

What's the difference between FelPro and Ford? I bought FelPro gaskets just the other day. I'm in the process of doing gaskets because I had combustion in the cooling system. I could also smell coolant so you may even have a warped/cracked head or a cracked gaskets like I do. There's no fixing it as you go. The only thing you can really do is tear the engine down and take off the heads and go from there. I ended up having two cracked heads. I'd also replace the water pump while you have it torn down. I just did that today, i'm putting my new heads on tomorrow.

 

[burley68]

Apparently there are those veteran 4.0 guys and engine rebuilders that swear by Ford vs. aftermarket. I personally haven't looked at the FelPro kit, but for example, I guess the FelPro intake gasket is made with some cork vs. Ford's all-rubber and the "standard" valve cover gasket by Felpro is cork vs. Ford's metal-reinforced rubber gaskets.

Yeah, I figure I may have some issues with an engine with that age & mileage, but I'm hoping for the best. I'm thinking my head gasket is a little suspect, but once I start tearing it apart to get to it, the H.G. will be shot anyway.

 

[feellnfroggy]

If your taking the heads off to do gaskets anyways, I would take them to a machine shop and have them deck the heads. It will tighten up your compression just a lil, as well as fixing any possible warpage problems. Maybe do some mild port work on your intake since its torn apart. Maybe it would be a good time to install some wild aftermarket cams if your willing to go that far.

I personally wouldnt do the cork gaskets. If you do then you might as well buy the cork from the auto parts store and cut your own gaskets.

 

[Toms01PSD]

I went to the dealership yesterday and they wanted $37 a piece for the valve cover gaskets. I went to AutoZone and got rubber valve cover gaskets for like $30. Just thought i'd share.