Head gasket concerns
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: Pace Florida
Head gasket concerns
Alright im about to purchase my THIRD bronco 2 a 1990 with 54,000 miles on a new ford crate motor.problem is he ran it hot on the way home on the interstate and popped a head gasket,he says the truck still runs fine its just mixing oil and coolant.should i be worried about anything else bottom end wise as a result of the blown head gasket?? im thinking with it still running good that it cant be that severe and a head set and maybe taking the heads to a machine shop to be checked out will be all thats needed.anyone else with more experiance with these motors and blown head gaskets please chime in.....
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
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From: YORK S.C.
it was a very common problem with the 2.9's..mine had blown a head gasket and cracked the head also...i am not sure if the crate engine would have the upgraded heads or not. i am in the process of rebuilding mine and i am putting world heads on..i have been told they are much better than the originals.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
If the crate engine is a bona-fide 1989 or later model engine with casting # 89TM stamped on the heads, they should be fine, but I would have them checked for cracks just in case. The 89TM heads are a similar casting to the WP replacement heads, if I am not mistaken. I would definitely replace the head gasket(s) and flush the engine oil and coolant systems thoroughly - but you do not want to run that engine in it's current condition very much, if at all. You will risk damaging bearings and all other sorts of things, including the oil pump. Also, ensure you keep old gasket shavings from getting into either the water jacket or oil passages, the 2.9 oil pickup screens are already problematic with buildup, etc., no need to add to the issue. Hope this helps 
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
The real question is what does it take to "pop" a head gasket. Usually a cracked or warped head. Sometimes you can get by with just new heads, sometimes you have to junk the motor. Especially if it cracked not to overheating, but, to overheating because there was no coolant.
Tuned
Joined: May 2004
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54,000 on a new crate motor , and already overheated. Probably one head cracked, and if so you need to change them both now using upgraded heads. In my opinion, this is one of the worst motors ford has underdeveloped. I have changed heads twice on mine. These motors have low power, and are difficult to work on. Distributor in the back, underneath, surrounded, you name it. I hate this motor as you can tell, and I know others will disagree. I take good care of it, but to no avail. Maybe I just got a lemon. Won't get another one though.
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From: Pace Florida
hey my 72 how much did the world heads set you back?? on a side note i got the truck home today and for 500 bucks i dont think i got hurt,it has new tires,semi new paint,a center console,buckets,its pretty nice...ill post pics tomorow of the score!!!
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Posting Guru
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
WP heads run ~$300 each for assembled units, if I am not mistaken. Like I said before, I would check your casting numbers before spending the money as 89TM casting heads are pretty much the same casting as the WP heads, if I am not mistaken. If the head(s) is (are) not cracked, why spend the money? You could probably get by with just getting the unassembled WP heads if that is the route you want to go and re-use your existing valvetrain parts. Hopefully, you winched that thing onto a trailer and towed it home (or flat towed it) rather than drive it. Otherwise, you could be looking at having to replace all your bearings, etc. I am wondering if neglect and cooling system issues are to blame for the blown head gasket or whether it was ****-poor assembly or just some idiot hot-rodding the darn thing. Most crate /rebuilt engines don't come with more than a 30k mile warranty.
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Junior User
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From: Pace Florida
the top radiator hose blew,and his temp gauge wasnt working due to a faulty sending unit,so thats what led to the overheating.we pulled it home with my dads truck so i didnt drive it,but i did start it for like 3 seconds just to try and hear any bottom end noise,and it ran and idle beautifully if i didnt KNOW that it had blown head gasket or gaskets i would never know it ran that good!!! so hopefully the heads wont be cracked,ive got a buddy at a machine shop that will look at them and deck them and clean them up for me.
Posting Guru
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
Water pump or the thermostat stuck closed (or open sitting at idle?)... or it was just it's time to go. I would consider doing a pressure test on the cooling system with all the pieces in place to see if there are any issues - otherwise, you may be tearing into an engine that you don't necessarily need to. Curious about the reasoning that just because the upper hose blew that a head gasket automatically blew, not that it isn't possible the two are linked, but without a pressure test on the cooling system after hoses are replaced, etc. you can't be 100% sure IMO. Some food for thought.
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From: Pace Florida
you know thats a good point i geuss i need to do some more research,i think ill change the oil,flush the cooling system,install a new thermostat and hose then pressure test it and go from there.cause when i checked the oil a little while ago there wasnt any water at the bottom of the dipstick mixed in with the oil it looked normal.so if i drain the oil and change it then i can inspect the oil when it comes out and maybe shed some light on the situation.the only reason i assume the head gasket is blown is cause the previous over said it was,he claimes that oil was mixing with coolant,so i geuss its inspector gadget time....thanks for the info kernel and everyone else
Posting Guru
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
Not a problem! Oddly enough, the 2.9s have been known to show false signs of water in oil (i.e. creamy gunk on the underside of the oil filler cap and top of dipstick). I've heard this is from condensation and being in a humid climate and not being run often enough. You definitely want to verify that the gasket is blown (or heads are cracked) before tearing farther into it than absolutely necessary. Let us know what you find
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From: Pace Florida
well finally got the heads off and the gasket was just BARELY blown.......and cracked one of the heads.....
not too happy about that espically cause i took them to the machine shop to get rebuilt and now i have one rebuilt head that cost $130 bucks and one craked worthless head.so i just bought a set of brand new(100% new not rebuilt)improved casting heads off ebay for $350 and ill sell the rebuilt head and recoop some of my costs.i bought them from J&C enterprises and they had a 99.6 positive ebay rating,anyone buy from them??
not too happy about that espically cause i took them to the machine shop to get rebuilt and now i have one rebuilt head that cost $130 bucks and one craked worthless head.so i just bought a set of brand new(100% new not rebuilt)improved casting heads off ebay for $350 and ill sell the rebuilt head and recoop some of my costs.i bought them from J&C enterprises and they had a 99.6 positive ebay rating,anyone buy from them??
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Yokosuka, Honshu, Japan
Haven't dealt with them on eBay or otherwise. Sorry to hear that you ended up with a cracked head and blown gasket. Makes me wonder - do you recall the casting #s on the heads you pulled off? If in fact it was a bonafide crate engine for a '89-up engine, they should have been 89TM. If they were 86TM, I would find out if there was a warranty in place and see if it's transferrable and try and cash in on it. Hopefully, you can... and hopefully, you get your new heads in soon and get your truck back together and running well.