Well wednesday I got my Rockauto package with my cylinder head gasket set, intake manifold, and a couple Motorcraft ZD1 plugs.


So this afternoon when I came back from work, I drove the van up in the driveway, and waited for it to cool down abit, and started rippin everything out of it.


I already have all the exceseries off the engine, fan, rad are out, the dog house is off, and the 2 front seats are also removed.

And while everything is off, I'm gonna go ahead and do the thermostat and water pump, since I noticed the water pump has a tiny bit of play in the shaft.




So i'm gonna do a write up with pics on doing head gaskets in a van since it has been asked before, but no one seems to have done it in frame. This will be my 2nd time at it.



Hopefully the weather holds up tomorrow so I can remove the heads, or at least start on 'em...

It is a very BIG job doing this in a van.


Also will be attempting my first IP job, been reading alot on it, and doesn't look half bad, so i'm gonna do it, and time it by ear after.



Updates to come!

 

Sweet!!! Cant wait

 

i look forward to seeing your results - but i don't look forward to ever having to do the job myself

 

i think this is where id just scrap 'er.
what a nightmare lol.have fun.

 

Now got a question, at the back of the valley pan, theres this thing that holds the valley there. I poped it off with a ratchet end, and it just blew off, and no sure if that's suppose to pop off like that, or I broke it. Doesn't look broken. Does it just pop back in with the new valley?


Heres what i'm talking about.

 

John,

test your t-stat, I think that is what made my truck overheat quickly, and crack both heads! Just boil it in a pot of water, and take it out and it should be open at least a quarter of an inch. Watch it close as it cools, and try it again a few times. Before you ask, yes I did use a Motorcraft t-stat!

 

John,

That is a threaded plug IIRC. It looks like it might have broken off on you!

 

And heres other pics, this is what the van looks like when you gotta do serious work on it



Got everything off today except the exhaust manifolds and heads. Started raining hard ofcourse like every other time I try to do a big job outside.


And to my surprise, I did NOT have a single problem with any bolts! Everything came right out, even the 5 manifold bolts I already got out. Those I heated as a precaution, but still, everything went like a breeze, didn't even curse once



Got the IP off as well. And forgot to mark all the lines, so unless someone has a pic of what lines goes where, i'll have to find a diagram.



The inside of this engine, is extremely clean! When I got the valve covers off, they were nice and gray painted inside, no sludge, slime or nothing. Very clean engine.




And to get the passenger side valve cover off, the injectors had to be tooken out to slide it over from the top.

 

Here is a pic.



When I zoom in on the high res. pic I think I can make out threads on the plug.

Sorry man, maybe 94 will chime in, I think he has his motor torn down right now too,

One thing I know for sure, I don't want a van!

Lookin good,

Mac.

 

Yup its snapped.

normally that seales the valley pan drain so oil doesn't leak out and water doesn't leak into the top of the engine.

Sealer alone will not be enough!

 

Well that's just great! Hope my Easy out will get the rest of it out, and now to find another one!

 

Hey another thought. Before you take your heads in remove all the sending units from them. The head shop that did mine yanked all of them and I didn't get them back. Cost me over a hundred bucks to replace them, and I only replaced two of the three!

 

for what mac said, it depends on your machinist. mine puts everything in a little bag and gives it back with the head, others just throw it away. if you' don't know your machinist's habits, may as well pull them yourself and not have to worry

and john, easy-outs are EVIL. i would start with drilling it fairly large, gently try your largest easy-out, but give up BEFORE you break it, or you'll be in for a good fight, as you can't find a drill bit harder than an easy-out. when you give up on the easy out, just keep drilling it bigger until you get there. you know the drill, slowly step up your size until you see threads appear on the side of the hole, then start in with a pick. mild torch use helps a good bit too at this point, and will often free the offensive plug

 

Well I got the heads off tonight, both of 'em!

Damn I forgot how HEAVY those buggers are at the end of your arms, on your knees with your back under the steering wheel trying to lift these off!



I'll get pics tomorrow of the heads and cylinder bores.

 

Yeah buddy!!!