Blew the head gasket!

[CarsByCarl]

Originally Posted by BlueRooster

Took inventory, There is a small cooling line that goes to the water pump from the intake that looks to be a pain in the butt. I think I'll just cut it and fully replace it. It still looks to me like I can leave the distributor alone. Carl, are you saying that it HAS to come out or that it SHOULD come out. Here are some pics to give some ideas.

You're right to just cut the bypass hose and replace it. You can't really replace it without removing the intake or waterpump, so you might as well spend the $.50 on hose so you don't have to deal with it at a later date.

Your distributor is taller than most and you might be able to snake around it, but why? It only takes a few minutes remove and install. You said you want to learn to work on your car. Why not learn to remove and install the distributor while you're at it? It's not difficult, and it'll teach you more about how everything works together.

I should also mention that you'll need to be extreamly carefull when cleaning the gasket surface of the alum head because it's easily damaged. There are companies that makes abrasive gasket removal wheels to be used on aluminum, or you can have a machine shop make a .005" clean-up cut on the deck surface.

[Barry_R]

That looks like a pretty normal R&R job to me.....

Like the other guy said - cover the pretty parts of the car (I am prone to scuffing things up if I get in a hurry).

The distributor can stay in place - but as noted - its equally as easy to turn the motor to number one's top dead center on the damper, mark the spot where the distributor rotor is pointed to on its housing and the housing location on the block (I use a Sharpie pen to make a couple of lines) - and pull it out of the way. As long as you install it before turning the engine over it'll go right back in.

My preferred tool for removing gasket material is a single edge razor blade and a gentle touch. I've seen those rotary zizz wheels do a lot of damage in unpracticed hands. Your parts store sells a gasket remover spray to quickly soften any really hard pieces - DO NOT GET THE STUFF ANYWHERE NEAR PAINT - it'll take paint off so fast you'll be stunned! And P.O.d...

[BlueRooster]

Thanks Barry. Yeah the job seems pretty straight forward to me too. I havent taken anything apart yet other than valve covers, and manifold bolts. I figure when I have all the gaskets and hoses that I'll need, the job should only take about an afternoon, and thats taking my sweet time.

I wont scrape anything on the block or heads. I'll use the solvent and hopefully it will come out squeeky clean.

It would be great to have it finished by Chrismas, but at this rate I'm looking at 2008.

Thanks for the input.

[thorconstr]

Are you sure that the head gasket is blown? Check compression, water in the oil, etc. May be a stupid question, but I didn't see anything about this!

[thorconstr]

What are the symptoms, what happened?

[BlueRooster]

Update: Seems like the failure is with the intake manifold...drivers side.

The engine has cobra jet heads and blue thunder intake 2x4, obviously made to match the CJ heads. Problem is fiding the gaskets to match up to both of these things. The ports on the heads are huge.
Is there a parts place that specializes in Ford specialties?
I have been all through the internet with no real satisfaction. Any hyperlinks or direction would be very much appreciated.

BTW, I havent posted in a while, hope everyones having a good 2008.

Dane

[Silverback51]

Originally Posted by BlueRooster

Update: Seems like the failure is with the intake manifold...drivers side.

The engine has cobra jet heads and blue thunder intake 2x4, obviously made to match the CJ heads. Problem is fiding the gaskets to match up to both of these things. The ports on the heads are huge.
Is there a parts place that specializes in Ford specialties?
I have been all through the internet with no real satisfaction. Any hyperlinks or direction would be very much appreciated.

BTW, I havent posted in a while, hope everyones having a good 2008.

Dane

I have a set of gaskets at home hanging on the wall. When I get home this afternoon I will take a look and post the part number. They came from Jeg's.

[BlueRooster]

No, YOU are the Man Silverback.

[Silverback51]

I'm not going to be able to get out of work until late afternoon today. Another 15 hour day.

Anyway, take a look at this link. I hope it works. They have 3 port sizes. Just measure what yours is and see which one works.

Hope that helps you out.


http://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/store...%2Bmatchallany

[BlueRooster]

Thanks again Silverback. Ordered them up today. Should have everything buttoned up by Fathers day.