Tough choice...
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 610
Likes: 42
From: Lacey
Should I be pulling the oil pan? Would we expect sludge in the bottom end for sure? The underside of the valve covers and intake are COVERED in sludge. Am I just kicking the can with considering only doing the heads, cleaning everything visible and putting it back together?
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,061
Likes: 167
From: Central Texas
I think you have reservations based on an incident that is not a likely scenario, provided nothing was up before all that went down.
Years ago a guy brought in a Crown Vic with a 5.0 and a rod knock. Said he just had head gaskets replaced. Turns out the jackwagon who did the heads let all the grit from his abrasive disc go right down the crankcase; tore up the bearings. I fixed it, but he never would tell me who did the head gaskets.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 358
From: Anderson, California
This is a good thread for Head replacement advice from the members here.
Geeze, I hate working on sludgy engines. They've gotta be the worst, or a Diesel, with Black oil. Yuck.
Head Gaskets - how many overheating problems are diagnosed as a head gasket, but is really a stretched head bolt ? _ _ _ eh ? Probably Bunches.
I just finally solved the mystery of why my AMC 304 V-8 was overheating. _ _ _ stretched head bolts, (one that actually Broke), leading to the overheating.
I welded a nut to the end of the broken bolt, and with gentle bumps from a 1/2" cordless impact, removed bolt, and installed a used bolt. Problem solved.
I know, I am a backyard mech that has re-purposed old head bolts many times. Usually, when torquing the head bolts, you can 'feel' a weak one.
By 'feel' I mean you nearly reach desired torque level, and you can feel the bolt yield somewhat. (like it just relaxed). my opinion.
Get good head gaskets like Fel-Pro w/ blue sealer.
Geeze, I hate working on sludgy engines. They've gotta be the worst, or a Diesel, with Black oil. Yuck.
Head Gaskets - how many overheating problems are diagnosed as a head gasket, but is really a stretched head bolt ? _ _ _ eh ? Probably Bunches.
I just finally solved the mystery of why my AMC 304 V-8 was overheating. _ _ _ stretched head bolts, (one that actually Broke), leading to the overheating.
I welded a nut to the end of the broken bolt, and with gentle bumps from a 1/2" cordless impact, removed bolt, and installed a used bolt. Problem solved.
I know, I am a backyard mech that has re-purposed old head bolts many times. Usually, when torquing the head bolts, you can 'feel' a weak one.
By 'feel' I mean you nearly reach desired torque level, and you can feel the bolt yield somewhat. (like it just relaxed). my opinion.
Get good head gaskets like Fel-Pro w/ blue sealer.
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