Fun with Head gaskets
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Elder User
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 729
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From: Peoria, Arizona
Fun with Head gaskets
So... I've been re-building this truck with my step son (1982 F-100). We put in a 300 IL6 with only 65k miles on it. I ran it and checked everything over and it seemed fine.
I was showing him how to change his oil yesterday and when we pop off the drain plug a bunch of green Antifreeze comes pouring out...
He says... "Isn't oil black?" ARGHH
I've been working on the A/C system recently trying to get that working again and it seems that putting pressure on the coolant system again has pointed out to me that the head gasket is blown.
I want to fix this with just him, me and a bunch of swearing but I have never replaced a head gasket before. Any tips or walkthroughs for this engine?
Thanks guys/gals!
I was showing him how to change his oil yesterday and when we pop off the drain plug a bunch of green Antifreeze comes pouring out...
He says... "Isn't oil black?" ARGHH I've been working on the A/C system recently trying to get that working again and it seems that putting pressure on the coolant system again has pointed out to me that the head gasket is blown.
I want to fix this with just him, me and a bunch of swearing but I have never replaced a head gasket before. Any tips or walkthroughs for this engine?
Thanks guys/gals!
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 153
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From: Selkirk NY
The good thing is that these are pretty easy engines to work on. Drain all of the coolant and remove upper radiator hose at the water neck. The intake and exhaust manifolds will come off of the head together if you are running the factory manifolds. When you remove the valve cover you will have to loosen each of the rocker bolts (no need to remove entirely) to allow you to remove each of the push rods. Just mark everything and keep all of your bolts and parts. Inspect all of your push rods to make sure they are all straight. Next will be head bolts remove them it is best to replace them with a new set of bolts. Now you should be able to lift off the head you may need help lifting it off as these heads have some weight to them. Look it over and use a straight edge and feeler gauges to see if it is straight. Or better yet you could send the head out to a machine shop to have them check it for straightness and inspect it for cracks.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2009
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From: Peoria, Arizona
Well... I pulled off the head and replaced the gasket. Checked the head for warp or crack and couldn't find one... Checked the gasket and no blow out... about 1/4 inch of antifreeze in #6 cylinder... 
I did see a part of the gasket that had rust on it where it should have been sealed and on the block there was a bit of rust in the same area so I am HOPING that was the problem.
SO I put the new gasket on after wire brushing it all and still not finding any cracks or warps buttoned it back up, poured 5 quarts of oil over the rockers and I still have a little water in the system. I think its just left over from the oil pan. I'm going to run some oil/engine cleaner through it and put new oil in it again. Also I'm going to run some of that block sealer through the rad as an insurance policy.
Hopefully this fixes it and I can pull my hair out for some other reason now.
Thanks for the help guys!
I did see a part of the gasket that had rust on it where it should have been sealed and on the block there was a bit of rust in the same area so I am HOPING that was the problem.SO I put the new gasket on after wire brushing it all and still not finding any cracks or warps buttoned it back up, poured 5 quarts of oil over the rockers and I still have a little water in the system. I think its just left over from the oil pan. I'm going to run some oil/engine cleaner through it and put new oil in it again. Also I'm going to run some of that block sealer through the rad as an insurance policy.
Hopefully this fixes it and I can pull my hair out for some other reason now.
Thanks for the help guys!
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 625
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
You should really avoid running any kind of sealer/stopleak through your cooling system, it hardens in places you really don't want it blocking (your radiator and heater core), and it'll never come out. You should see how much black **** keeps running out of my radiator core, since someone loaded it full of stop leak at some point.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,856
Likes: 1
From: Lebanon
yes, i agree with newrider. but you did better than me. i put my gasket on backwards and blocked an oil hole!
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
I agree, avoid it if you can.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2009
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From: Peoria, Arizona
Well... I finished the truck from top to bottom and was going to hand the keys over to my step son after an oil change. I took off the oil filler cap and found about an 8th of an inch of water sitting on that little shelf and the cap had lots of water in it also. 
I guess the new gasket didnt help as much as I thought it did!
I'm planning on taking it out, having it stuck in a vat, and mic'd for cracks/warps.
What are your collective thoughts?
I guess the new gasket didnt help as much as I thought it did!
I'm planning on taking it out, having it stuck in a vat, and mic'd for cracks/warps.
What are your collective thoughts?
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,781
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I'm sure you did this prior to putting the head gasket on but check the block for cracks, check the head for any warping or cracks. These can be difficult to find so if your unsure take your head to someone who can check it for you. Oh and dont use any block seal crap especially if you plan on doing the work yourself it'll make for nothing but a headache down the road when you go to fix it properly.