87 351W Help

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Apr 21, 2006 | 09:23 PM

ewturtle

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Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 78

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From: St. Louis, MO

87 351W Help

I have an 87 F-150 with a blown head gasket. I haven't gotten a manual for it yet, but I'm starting to get stuff out of the way to get to the heads. Anyone have any suggestions/tips for making this less of a headache? I'm planning on putting a new timing chain in while I have it disassembled but other than that and help would be great. I'll also do plugs and wires and try to replace as much of the vacuum lines as I can get to. The truck only has 105K miles on her so she's just broke in.

A little background info:

The truck belonged to my Dad. He put a new radiator in drove it to work one morning. Somewhere along the way, the lower hose came off but he didn't notice the temp gauge. Finally, the engine shut down on its own. We put a new water pump on, but when changing the oil, realized the head gasket was blown too. So the truck comes to me with a new radiator and water pump but a needs a head gasket.

Thanks for your help in advance.

Apr 21, 2006 | 09:24 PM

ewturtle

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Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 78

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From: St. Louis, MO

Also if anyone knows where I can find a good vacuum diagram thats easier to read than the one on the underside of the hood?

One other bonus is this truck has already been converted to R134A so I should be able to keep nice and cool this summer.

Apr 22, 2006 | 05:44 AM

ken75ranger

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Joined: Jan 2004

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From: Troy,NY

I can't help on the vacuum diagram. When you have the head off put a good straight edge on it. You need to make sure it didn't warp from over heating.