Notices
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

cracked head?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 11, 2008 | 10:49 AM
  #1  
coreyw20's Avatar
coreyw20
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
cracked head?

I was in the middle of changing out the water pump on my 96 f250. i had drained all the water (i had to put water in it to make it home when it began to leak), so I thought. I took the old one off late in the afternoon after work and was going to put the new one on the next day. that night the temperature dropped to around 10. I reassembled the water pump and cranked the truck. I let it warm up and began to check my work for any leaks. I then noticed water dripping from behind the starter. somehow some water remained in the system and has cracked the head. it is directly behind the starter and about 1/2" to 3/4" directly below a freeze plug. Is there anyway to fix this without having to replace the head and why did the freeze plug not pop. I just don't want this to go from a simple water pump to replacing the head. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
 
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2008 | 11:28 AM
  #2  
tjbeggs's Avatar
tjbeggs
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
Likes: 3
From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
Club FTE Silver Member

If its behind the starter its the block not the head. Are you positve thats where its coming from? Its is possible but if thats the case its not good!
 
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2008 | 12:56 PM
  #3  
coreyw20's Avatar
coreyw20
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Yea. its behind and up from the starter. I'm going to take the starter off in the next day or so, to get a better look at it. I can see the crack and it looks like it is just below the freeze plug. The motor starts up fine and runs fine even with power applied to it.
 
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2008 | 01:09 PM
  #4  
MADVAN's Avatar
MADVAN
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 0
From: Levittown
Does not sound good.

Bill
 
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2008 | 01:25 PM
  #5  
tjbeggs's Avatar
tjbeggs
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 12,835
Likes: 3
From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI
Club FTE Silver Member

If the block is indeed cracked (sounds like it is) you might be able to remove the engine and bring it to a machine shop and have it welded up. They probably won't want to do it with the engine in the truck.
 
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2008 | 02:59 PM
  #6  
MADVAN's Avatar
MADVAN
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 0
From: Levittown
Originally Posted by tjbeggs
If the block is indeed cracked (sounds like it is) you might be able to remove the engine and bring it to a machine shop and have it welded up. They probably won't want to do it with the engine in the truck.
Its a 50/50 shot.
If the core has shifted its done.
Cast is a PITA. The strength has to do with nickle content.

Bill
 
Reply
Old Mar 11, 2008 | 05:40 PM
  #7  
Action4478's Avatar
Action4478
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,764
Likes: 39
Originally Posted by MADVAN
Its a 50/50 shot.
If the core has shifted its done.
Cast is a PITA. The strength has to do with nickle content.

Bill
Had my dozer motor out a couple of years ago ...a gear to the oil pump dropped into the pan ,,,

(new motor time ..).. while I had the pan off , the block looked like a jigsaw puzzle ,,,Held together with some (maybe not expertly placed ) brass ,,,But it was fine for many years ....
 
Reply

Trending Topics

Old Mar 11, 2008 | 06:03 PM
  #8  
MADVAN's Avatar
MADVAN
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,266
Likes: 0
From: Levittown
Originally Posted by Action4478
Had my dozer motor out a couple of years ago ...a gear to the oil pump dropped into the pan ,,,

(new motor time ..).. while I had the pan off , the block looked like a jigsaw puzzle ,,,Held together with some (maybe not expertly placed ) brass ,,,But it was fine for many years ....

Windows in a block are never fun

Bill
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Mar 11, 2008 | 06:28 PM
  #9  
Action4478's Avatar
Action4478
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,764
Likes: 39
Originally Posted by MADVAN

Windows in a block are never fun

Bill
I would have hung some curtains on it if it were me...
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:01 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE