Head Gasket ?
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 84
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From: indiana
Head Gasket ?
Hey all I am pretty sure i blew a head gasket,
Problem 1. Oil in The radiator.
Problem 2. white smoke on start-up
Problem 3. Loosing antifreeze.
Problem 4. Oil all over manifold.
Is this a reasonable diagnosis? If it is the head gasket will I be able to pull the head without pulling the intake manifold ? If I do have to remove the intake will I be able to reuse the valley pan gasket or should I get a new one ?
Just tring to get an idea of how much this repair is going to cost me. They never break down when you have any money , always when your broke.
BTW I have a 79 F150 with a 84 ( I Think) LTD 400 donor motor in it bone stock. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
PS. as a testiment to these smog motors strength, This motor still purrs like a kitten I would have never known anything was wrong if it wasnt for the smoke on start-up and the smell after a drive to work.
Problem 1. Oil in The radiator.
Problem 2. white smoke on start-up
Problem 3. Loosing antifreeze.
Problem 4. Oil all over manifold.
Is this a reasonable diagnosis? If it is the head gasket will I be able to pull the head without pulling the intake manifold ? If I do have to remove the intake will I be able to reuse the valley pan gasket or should I get a new one ?
Just tring to get an idea of how much this repair is going to cost me. They never break down when you have any money , always when your broke.
BTW I have a 79 F150 with a 84 ( I Think) LTD 400 donor motor in it bone stock. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
PS. as a testiment to these smog motors strength, This motor still purrs like a kitten I would have never known anything was wrong if it wasnt for the smoke on start-up and the smell after a drive to work.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,127
Likes: 3
From: (near) Denver USA
Head Gasket ?
Your diagnosis seems correct. Head gasket is the most likely problem.
You will have to remove the intake manifold to take off the head.
Some people do try to re-use valley pans, and you might get away with it for a little while if the same manifold is re-installed and the heads are not disturbed (i.e., not removed). I've never seen a re-used valley pan that didn't develop vacuum leaks, either immediately or within a short time.
The valley pan is really a single-use gasket. It seals the ports with embossed "crush" areas. Once those are crushed by using the gasket, they will not seal correctly if you try to re-use it.
Your engine may have come from a '74 LTD, but not an '84. M-block (351M/400) engines were not used in any cars after the 1979 model year.
You will have to remove the intake manifold to take off the head.
Some people do try to re-use valley pans, and you might get away with it for a little while if the same manifold is re-installed and the heads are not disturbed (i.e., not removed). I've never seen a re-used valley pan that didn't develop vacuum leaks, either immediately or within a short time.
The valley pan is really a single-use gasket. It seals the ports with embossed "crush" areas. Once those are crushed by using the gasket, they will not seal correctly if you try to re-use it.
Your engine may have come from a '74 LTD, but not an '84. M-block (351M/400) engines were not used in any cars after the 1979 model year.
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Junior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: indiana
Head Gasket ?
Thanks for the reply bubba, I thought it looked as though the manifold would have to be removed. Guess I was just hopeing.
You are probably right about the motor being a 74 I was going by what the guy told me that I bought the car from. It was a little hard to tell as the car was in a demolition derby and doors and all were welded shut and vin missing. Anyway thanks for the info.
You are probably right about the motor being a 74 I was going by what the guy told me that I bought the car from. It was a little hard to tell as the car was in a demolition derby and doors and all were welded shut and vin missing. Anyway thanks for the info.
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