Head Gaskets 2.9
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Head Gaskets 2.9
I was replacing the head gaskets on a 2.9 L V-6 1987 Ford Ranger Manual Trans 4x4... And I started to do a little research on the net... So this seems like a big problem in these motors. I was wondering where do the cylinder heads like to crack most often? This is a beater vehicle, I don't want to drop lots of money into it, but is it worth it to have the heads magnafluxed or can I just look them over real well and put them back on. I checked them with a strait edge and they seem to be un-warped.
The engine is not the original, the truck had a junkyard engine put in the engine bay several years ago and then sat for years. It was hooked up last year and ran but had tons of coolant in the oil. So off came the heads this weekend. The lower intake gasket did not have any contamination from the oil to the coolant. Or at least any that could be seen.
How much should a set of v-6 2.9 heads cost if they were never magnafluxed? Would it be better to have them magnafluxed before purchasing? Or would a visual be ok?
The engine is not the original, the truck had a junkyard engine put in the engine bay several years ago and then sat for years. It was hooked up last year and ran but had tons of coolant in the oil. So off came the heads this weekend. The lower intake gasket did not have any contamination from the oil to the coolant. Or at least any that could be seen.
How much should a set of v-6 2.9 heads cost if they were never magnafluxed? Would it be better to have them magnafluxed before purchasing? Or would a visual be ok?
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From: MARYLAND
In my opinion from working on stuff all the time..if you are going to go thru the trouble of taking the heads off to replace the gaskets it's best to drop them off at a shop and have them checked over and freshened up..In Maryland i've been able to get mine checked and refreshed for $150..usually about a 2-3 day wait..but for going thru the trouble of taking it apart it's well worth it to have them done while they are off then doing the work and then finding out there is a problem afterwards.
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Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Connecticut
Replace both heads. Do a search for World Products replacement heads for the Ford 2.9. You can get them bare or complete. The stock heads will crack, or they may be already. The World heads are cast thicker in the weak spots.
I rebuilt my 2.9 several years ago replacing the one cracked head. 4 months ago I replaced the other head since it cracked. It was magnafluxed at the time of the rebuild and was crack free so I reused it. It's a good reliable motor with the new heads.
Mark
I rebuilt my 2.9 several years ago replacing the one cracked head. 4 months ago I replaced the other head since it cracked. It was magnafluxed at the time of the rebuild and was crack free so I reused it. It's a good reliable motor with the new heads.
Mark
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Buy brand new after market heads for a truck that is only worth a couple hundred dollars, yeah right. It costing me under 100 bucks to buy the gasket set, and about 4 hours worth of time to replace the heads. This is not a project I want to drop lots of money into.
The question about the magnafluxing is because I have two sets of heads for this engine and was planning on selling one set off, just want to know a ballpark value for these heads.
The question about the magnafluxing is because I have two sets of heads for this engine and was planning on selling one set off, just want to know a ballpark value for these heads.
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Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Connecticut
Sorry I responded, just trying to save you work down the road. My Bronco 2 is a beater also. I don't think $400-600 for a pair of heads is alot if the vehicle has life in it. Alot cheaper for me than to buy another beater vehicle. That's my opinion though.
Mark
Mark
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