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YACT: 2 bad head gaskets...Do I need this extra stuff too?
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NetWareHead
THAT guy
Another update:
My mechanic called me yesterday evening with news that the machine shop found cracks in the cylinder heads. Fvckin great because he has to raise the price by $500 for new cylinder heads. :|:|:|:| Total is now up to $1700. :Q Un-fvcking believable!!! Does anybody know any good places to score new cylinder heads for a 97 ford explorer 4.0 v6? Or is $500 a good price for 2 new heads?
My mechanic called me yesterday evening with news that the machine shop found cracks in the cylinder heads. Fvckin great because he has to raise the price by $500 for new cylinder heads. :|:|:|:| Total is now up to $1700. :Q Un-fvcking believable!!! Does anybody know any good places to score new cylinder heads for a 97 ford explorer 4.0 v6? Or is $500 a good price for 2 new heads?
StageLeft
No Lifer
Including labor I would think that he can get a rebuilt/refurbished engine, installed, for $2500 on that vehicle. My mechanic locally said that he typically charges, on a used engine including installation, about $1500-2500 depending on the car. Obviously a ferrari replacement would be higher, but this truck is pretty mainstream and it shouldn't be hard to find a new engine. I'd really consider that before dropping $1700 on fixing one with 92k miles.
Definately. At least you know it would be good for another 90k miles at least. That is nothing really, it should be good for twice that with good care.
Spend 1700$ on a worn out engine that has a questionable future, or ~2000(give or take a few hundred?) on a brand new engine?
No brainer, IMO.
Hate to do that to you, but it's true.. heh.
yeah, I agree with you guys, I've seen prices for engines for my car (was going to buy one and do a rebuild on it) and they are only in the ~$1k Canadian price range for a 2.0L SOHC Dodge Neon motor.. so I am pretty sure you could probably score a 4.0L motor for less than even $1700 USD no problem!
slag
Lifer
you should be able to pick up an engine with 60-100k for 400-$800.00. Removal and installation will take you a day, or, about 7-8 hours @ $40-$60.00/hour plus shop materials and fluid.
There really isnt anything that should be checked or replaced while the engine is out. The timing chain should last the life of the engine and there is nothing on the back end except for the torque converter and it typically lasts forever as well. I take that back.. change the spark plugs and wires while the engine is out. That passenger rear spark plug is a real pita to remove while the engine is in the vehicle.
Perhaps powerwash the engine compartment and bellhousing while everything is out to get a really good clean engine bay. Otherwise, take out, put in, drive.
There really isnt anything that should be checked or replaced while the engine is out. The timing chain should last the life of the engine and there is nothing on the back end except for the torque converter and it typically lasts forever as well. I take that back.. change the spark plugs and wires while the engine is out. That passenger rear spark plug is a real pita to remove while the engine is in the vehicle.
Perhaps powerwash the engine compartment and bellhousing while everything is out to get a really good clean engine bay. Otherwise, take out, put in, drive.
This is a motor before starting a head gasket replacement
This is a motor torn down to the block so you can replace head gaskets
For reference, this is a completely assembled engine, and to replace the head gaskets, everything above the block (dark blue painted piece at the bottom) has to come off.
It's two full days of work for most people.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
Hmm, a supercharged Mustang with blown headgasket...Haven't seen that happen before. Get a little happy with the boost?
It's two full days of work for most people that know what they are doing and have the necessary tools.
So, is that what you would recommend too?
I dunno. Maybe as a shop owner/worker, you wouldn't feel comfortable telling them they may as well just get something more expensive.
But do you agree me and Skoorbie's analysis? I guess it is quite a bit more at ~400$.. but, damn. IMO, the peace of mind would be worth it. Although, I suppose we don't have any data on the condition of the shortblock. You think it took the overheats well?
Some salavage yards have re-man heads so check the larger ones. Then check Advance or Autozone. Both of them carry heads.[/quote]$500 is a very good price for 2 new heads, but most likely they are reman heads which still a fair price. As for replacing the engine, the last 4.0L OHV engine I replaced was around $2100 installed.[/quote]So, is that what you would recommend too?
I dunno. Maybe as a shop owner/worker, you wouldn't feel comfortable telling them they may as well just get something more expensive.
But do you agree me and Skoorbie's analysis? I guess it is quite a bit more at ~400$.. but, damn. IMO, the peace of mind would be worth it. Although, I suppose we don't have any data on the condition of the shortblock. You think it took the overheats well?[/quote]It depends on the condition of the lower half of the engine. I have seen the 4.0L OHV engine go over 200K miles without any engine repair. If the bottom half, i.e. crankshaft, bearing, pistons, & rings, are in good shape I would replace the heads and keep driving it. But if it isn't in good shape, low oil pressure, worn rings, or timing chain stretched, I would replace the entire engine.
StageLeft
No Lifer
Unfortunately he wouldn't know about the relative condition of a lot of the engine without spending labor to find out, right? So,you've kind of got to just guess before hand as to whether the labor or replacement route is best?
Thanks for the links, notfred. My conclusion is that I will never replace head gaskets on an engine 😀
slag
Lifer
the 4.0 liter OHV motor is a beast of a motor. It can take a lot of abuse and keep ticking
heck, the one I have right now had 4 of the 6 cylinders full of water for 2 months and water in the crankcase.
I'm driving it now and it purrrrrss..
using 10w40 or 10w30 oil, oil pressure is good, no clicking, clanking, loud noises or anything, just a good running X.
If you have under 150k, I'd say go ahead and just replace the heads, but thats just my 2 cents.
PICS of my TEARDOWN.. most were done with the hacked dakota
heck, the one I have right now had 4 of the 6 cylinders full of water for 2 months and water in the crankcase.
I'm driving it now and it purrrrrss..
using 10w40 or 10w30 oil, oil pressure is good, no clicking, clanking, loud noises or anything, just a good running X.
If you have under 150k, I'd say go ahead and just replace the heads, but thats just my 2 cents.
PICS of my TEARDOWN.. most were done with the hacked dakota
slag
Lifer
<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.fox302.com/index.pl?s=vf&user=notfred&category=Car&file=vc.jpg">This is a motor before starting a head gasket replacement</a>
<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.fox302.com/index.pl?s=vf&user=notfred&category=Car&file=motor2.jpg">This is a motor torn down to the block so you can replace head gaskets</a>
For reference, <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.fox302.com/index.pl?s=vf&user=notfred&category=Engine_Building&file=DCP_1668.jpg">this is a completely assembled engine</a>, and to replace the head gaskets, everything above the block (dark blue painted piece at the bottom) has to come off.
It's two full days of work for most people.[/quote]
Hmm, a supercharged Mustang with blown headgasket...Haven't seen that happen before. Get a little happy with the boost?
It's two full days of work for most people that know what they are doing and have the necessary tools.[/quote]
I'd venture to say its a full day of work for someone who knows what they are doing and just wants to get it done in a good manner....
and 2 full days of work for someone who treats their engine like a member of the family 🙂
It took me 1 day.. well, 1-1/2 days not counting the time it took me to find heads.
NetWareHead
THAT guy
Got my truck back from the mechanic. Man this guy really gave me the preferential treatment...almost an entire new top end...new heads, gaskets, head bolts, almost an entire new valvetrain, springs etc...
This engine now purrs...even when it was new I never remember it being this smooth. I mean it is very noticeable and the engine is noticeably quieter. It definitely pulls harder during acceleration and warms up quicker. I asked the mechanic about it and he speculated that the head gaskets were in such bad shape the engine was losing alot of compression, hence the power loss. He also showed me the old head gaskets and the old heads...definitely cracked...very poor shape. He said it was probably the overheating that did this. Anyway if anybody wants a honest mechanic who performs good work in North NJ, PM me.
This engine now purrs...even when it was new I never remember it being this smooth. I mean it is very noticeable and the engine is noticeably quieter. It definitely pulls harder during acceleration and warms up quicker. I asked the mechanic about it and he speculated that the head gaskets were in such bad shape the engine was losing alot of compression, hence the power loss. He also showed me the old head gaskets and the old heads...definitely cracked...very poor shape. He said it was probably the overheating that did this. Anyway if anybody wants a honest mechanic who performs good work in North NJ, PM me.
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