For anyone following the Saga behind our 89' Bronco II?

We have the entire top half of the engine now sitting in the rear of the truck.

Both heads have been torn down and fully examined with just a visual check.

Can't find any signs of cracks or signs of a blown head gasket at this point. But not to just re-install things as is? I talked with World products and will be picking up 2 of their "bare" heads in a few days. Pretty much everything (valves, springs, etc...) will be transferred over to the new castings.

I did forget to ask one important question--Do these bare heads have the exhaust seats installed? LOL. That'll be the deal breaker. They have offered me a decent price, but that will get pissed away if I have to purchase and pay to have installed new exhaust seats.

The cylinder walls are in only 'fair' shape. Some signs of very minor scoring (it's slightly discolored..not sure if that would point towards scoring--or overheat marks--or the fact the heads have been off for a few days, and some oxidation has started) However they are all very smooth, and the compression test we did before hand points towards the rings having a good seal. (180 average on all 6)

Due to the extreme short funds? The only thing I can afford would be the bare heads, gasket kit, and some severely needed tuneup parts. (this thing had the factory disty cap and rotor...badly---BADLY WORN out).

So tomorrow it's prep day and clean up. Going to get all the gasket surfaces cleaned up and back to good shape..and I'll probably spring for the new o2 sensor, as installing it will be much better done now, with the exhaust unhooked from the engine.

I've got a feeling there is more going on then meets the eye so far. We are talking a very large amount of burnt carbon covering the intake valves and ports....Like it was running super rich for a while before blowing the white smoke.

With luck? The o2 sensor being broken off the pipe very well could have lead to that problem.

S-

 

I've been following your saga and i am sure many of us have....it's like a story that we all hope is going to have a happy ending! do keep us all posted....thanx!

 

Minor update.

Everything transferred to the new cylinder heads. (FYI: world castings has the bare heads on discount clearance due to having a severe overstock---about $76 a head, barebones....with shipping? Ours came to just under $190 shipped...your mileage may vary LOL)(PS...mention you found the price online!!)

Ok...Valves, Springs, everything including new valve seals installed onto the new heads. Lubed the crap out of it with assy lube..

New heads installed, new head bolts, etc..... Major PITA with the transmission dipstick tube bit that bolts onto the rear of the right head--it's stock 8mm..and we had to drill it out to 10mm.

Intake lower is on and torqued---Disty back in place---Called it a night LOL!!

It's starting to look like an engine again!

S-