My 73 F-100 Custom just blew a head gasket on it's 240 L-6. After toying with the idea of letting the state pay me to junk it and trading up, I've decided to just fix it. (I never cease to be amazed how affordable parts are for this old truck.) Apparently, it's blown between the first and second cylinders and not into the water jacket.

I'm not the original owner, but I do believe the truck only has 84k (as opposed to 184k or 284k...) so I was wondering if I should consider doing the timing set. After looking at parts online, I see that the engine doesn't use a timing chain. I've seen on other engines where there will be an aluminum or nylon cam sprocket which doesn't really last as long as the rest of the engine. Are these pretty much all steel? Is there an easy way to check the condition without removing the cover?

The truck has been overheating lately. (I'm honestly not sure whether it's been overheating the last few times I drove it on the road because of the head gasket or vice-versa.) It has always seemed to run hot. It got a new radiator a while ago, but this didn't really seem to help. It's got a solid fan (no clutch) which I've thought of changing. First, do these trucks or more specifically the 240 cu. in. have a tendancy to run hot? And can anyone recommend any fan changes, electric or flex-fan?

Lastly, I couldn't tell if I should be posting this here or on the Inline 6 section, so let me know if I'm in the wrong place.

Thanks in advance,

danp

 

One way to check for slack without removing the cover is:

To get a power bar and socket for the crankshaft bolt.

Take the distributor cap off and slowly turn the engine one direction until you see the rotor start to move ,then stop > Now,turn the crankshaft the other way and measure how many degrees the socket handle goes before the rotor starts to turn.
Normal is about 10*
Get back her with the results.




[b][i][font color=red]Dennis[/font][i][b]

[font color=red]Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font]
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[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
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[updated:LAST EDITED ON 16-Apr-02 AT 06:54 PM (EST)]Ummm...There are several things that I can think of that might make an engine run hot. Besides the obvious, sludge in the water jacket. A good flush might help. Incorrect timing, way to advanced or retarded will do it. A stuck thermostat. Good luck.

Dennis, good idea about finding out how much play in the timing chain. I was wondering how I might find out also with out taking off the cover. I think I will do this myself as my truck is high milage. When I'm under the hood and give it just a little throttle and then back off, sometimes I can hear some clicking in front of the engine. I wonder, kind of sounds like it migh be the chain hitting up aganinst the cover. DANG! :-X23

 

Again, I don't think it has a chain. When I looked for parts on PartsAmerica.com, it showed just two gears for the timing set.

I was just wondering if anyone new for sure if they were all steel.

 

They have been using plastic gears for years.

That definitely Is NOT a Ford stock gear drive cam/crank combo.

[b][i][font color=red]Dennis[/font][i][b]

[font color=red]Calgary,Alberta,Canada[/font]
http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Minimorleytruck.JPG

http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/FordTruckCodes.html

[font color=red]If New Ford Parts Is What You're Cravin',
Then Buy Them HERE,At Motorhaven!

[/font]


http://www.clubfte.com/users/mil1ion/Mil1ion.html

[font color =red] Please Don't Ask Me Any Tough Questions,
"I'm Saving My Memory For When I Develop Alzheimer's" [/font]


[font color=blue]78 F-150 429CJ,Silver,Explorer Pkg.
641/2-Mustang 260,Pre-World's Fair Car.
64-Fairlane500 S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang 289-Sunlit Gold 80,892Mi
78-Buick LeSabre 403 4V
84 Volvo DL Wagon [/font]