Head Gasket Replacement
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 59
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Head Gasket Replacement
I am getting ready to replace a blown head gasket on a 1979 F150 4X4 with a 400. The gasket is leaking oil down the driver side of the block after the engine runs for about 5 mins. This will be my first head gasket change and was wondering if anyone had any tips to make life easier. I am planning on doing it with the engine istalled because I have limited space to store engine removed. I have bought a complete gasket set from Fel Pro and am unsure what else I may need. Any comments and help would be appreciated.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 1
From: Axtell, TX
A few tips..
Take the hood off. It will be MUCH easier to get to.
Have a friend ready to hand the head to so your arms dont fall off trying to lug that head out.
Make sure the deck surface is clear and clean and there are no chunks of old gasket left.
Make sure gaskets, head and intake, match bore and ports. dont leave anything to chance you know.
I would go ahead and do both head gaskets while you have it apart. You dont want to get it back together only to have the other side do the same thing.
Hope it helps some.
Take the hood off. It will be MUCH easier to get to.
Have a friend ready to hand the head to so your arms dont fall off trying to lug that head out.
Make sure the deck surface is clear and clean and there are no chunks of old gasket left.
Make sure gaskets, head and intake, match bore and ports. dont leave anything to chance you know.
I would go ahead and do both head gaskets while you have it apart. You dont want to get it back together only to have the other side do the same thing.
Hope it helps some.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
Those are not torque to yield fasteners, don't see why you can't re-use them. Just pulled the 400 apart on my truck and I plan to clean them thoroughly and re-use them. Also be sure to run a tap into the threads on the block to clean them, but don't get crud into a cylinder. Put a bit of oil on the tap, it will help to hold the crud, I then run a shop vac over everything.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,501
Likes: 1
From: Axtell, TX
I always shop vac everything before reinstall as well. You can use the old bolts if you want. I just like upgrading when I can so I went with new arp bolts. It's not necessary just a peace of mind for me, so it's up to you which way you want to go. Agreed on threadchasing the bolt holes also.
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