Well... she's done

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Oct 3, 2025 | 03:15 PM

JPMallory

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 794

Likes: 120

From: Behind the wheel, IN

Well... she's done

Took the truck out for a brief drive yesterday. It was running rough from the moment I left. I didn't get very far when it started to overheat. Stopped at a gas station and poured a gallon of coolant into it and drove it back home. Pulled out the dipstick and my engine appears to be overfilled with chocolate milk.

I guess I need to get moving on that engine build I've been wanting to do.

Oct 3, 2025 | 05:43 PM

52 Merc

Hotshot

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 16,206

Likes: 4,819

From: Burbank, WA

Sorry to hear about your misfortune, JP, but at least you can put a positive spin on this and look at the bright side.

Oct 3, 2025 | 08:40 PM

M2HB

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Dec 2021

Posts: 1,265

Likes: 521

When I saw the title I was hoping to see another truck project completed, with pictures. I am sorry to hear about your engine. No doubt, it is time for a rebuild.

I wish you the very best in your engine rebuild.

Oct 3, 2025 | 09:16 PM

abe

Fleet Owner

Joined: Dec 2000

Posts: 25,431

Likes: 5,442

From: Central PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by M2HB

JP, I was thinking the same thing. I was gonna say "they are never done."

Sorry to hear about your engine but now you are forced to git it done.

Oct 3, 2025 | 10:05 PM

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27,305

Likes: 1,063

From: NM

Could just need a head gasket? May not be the end of the world.

Oct 4, 2025 | 06:35 AM

NM76F150

Laughing Gas

Joined: Aug 2016

Posts: 857

Likes: 467

From: Albuquerque and Colorado

She’ll be better than ever after the rebuild.

Oct 4, 2025 | 08:50 AM

JPMallory

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Feb 2014

Posts: 794

Likes: 120

From: Behind the wheel, IN

I've had the parts picked out for a new engine build since the start of this year. I've just been putting it off for other things. I have a block sitting on the engine stand, and a new rotating assembly waiting to go in it. I really just need to dedicate the time to get it done.

Oct 5, 2025 | 10:13 AM

Jeeptrix

Tuned

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 289

Likes: 127

From: Langley, BC

You've got a blown head gasket. That's about the easiest thing there is to fix on these old trucks. I'm curious about what engine you have in it. When I got my truck it had 0 compression. Had to put some oil into each spark plug hole before I could get it to fire up. As soon as it did the oil was puking out the top of the block. I shut it down. Went and grabbed a head gasket and in a couple of hours the truck was running and ran for years with it's old worn out rings before I rebuilt.

Oct 5, 2025 | 12:07 PM

#10

M2HB

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Dec 2021

Posts: 1,265

Likes: 521

It certainly is possible that it is just a head gasket.
You have to figure out how much damage, if any, that the water did to the bearings. You also need to determine if the head is warped. At some point it is worth doing a rebuild. If it is a high mileage engine and you were planning on doing a rebuild anyway, this is just an opportunity to get it done.