I have a 2000 Excursion with just over 200K miles. A few years back the engine started making a lot of noise and running so rough that it could not be driven. I parked it in the yard and it's been sitting ever since. This weekend I pulled the valve covers and discovered I had dropped a valve. Yes there is a big hole in the piston but it doesn't appear to have damaged the cylinder walls. I don't know if either valve seat was damaged. I wanted to pull the head (passenger side) to get a full assessment of the damage. I'm not sure if it's possible to get to all the head bolts without either pulling the engine or at a minimum of loosening the engine mounts and shifting the engine. Advice on which path to take would be appreciated.
Tks!

 

It is possible, others have done it.

It would be just as easy to remove the engine from the front and set it on the floor and work on it.

Start with the front bumper, grill and just keep working backwards. Fenders and hood and transmission stay in place.

 

It would help to know what engine you have, since you don't have it listed.

Stewart

 

Where are you located? Finish your profile

 

Guess I forgot one important detail - the engine is the 6.8L V10.

 

Thank you.

Sending this off to the V10 forum where they can get you all squared away.

Stewart

 

hole in piston means metal fragments in the oil sump. oil pump is designed to protect the oil filter so it is likely there is metal chip damage .

I read somewhere you can not pull the oil pan with out removing the engine and with out the oil pan out you will not be able to replace the piston with the hole in it.

also, I don't want to sound like an a$#, but last year I traded in a 2000 expedition with 70k miles on it which had a 1700 set of 22 inch rims and only got 1500 for it and traded in a 2001 navigator with 85k miles on it and got 3000. so not sure if I would spend a whole lot of time and money on repairing a 14 year old vehicle with 200k miles....might be better to donate to iron lung or something and get a write off.

 

That old and hole in piston I would look for a salvage yard motor, 2000 to 2004 will work.

Denny