Decision Time

[Daveyj]

seems as though the head gasket let loose recently. No heat in the cab. Occasionally have a sweet smelling exhaust.

Did a block test and it tests positive for hydrocarbons in the coolant. So woo-hoo.

Anyways I've got to decide what to do with this thing. I'm considering having both head gaskets done, or possibly having a new ford engine put it. Or a remanufactured ford engine.

It's a second car for us and not driven daily by any means. Especially now with no heat.

I've considered in the past turning it into an Overland style truck. We like to spend time in the desert and mountains

It has 154,000 miles on it. No rust. The rest of the truck is in good shape.

Is doing the head gaskets just a Bandaid? Would I be better off doing a new engine? Whatever I do i plan on keeping this thing for years to come.

What would you guys do?

 

[ExplorerTom]

Something I've been considering if mine ever does the same. I think I'm in the camp of a new engine. But if that time ever comes, who knows.

 

[Daveyj]

got a quote for a jasper engine and install. $6,500 for the whole deal. Ouch. To do both head gaskets is around $3,000.

Shops seen to vary in the time for engine swap. One shop was at 28 hours. Another quoted 21 hours.

 

[1955moose]

The problem with just doing gaskets is you never know what damage incurred to the rest of motor. Water running where oil belongs is never good. In the past I used to recommend to my customers to consider selling the vehicle within the year or so, but they never listened. Your shop needs to be 100 percent sure of 2 things. 1, that their are no cracks in cylinder walls, or heads. And 2 what caused it to overheat, and blow the gasket to begin with. Short of replacing radiator, thermostat, and cleaning each water passage, along with new water pump, your hoping you fixed problem. Good luck, keep us posted, Moose.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

 

[rjdelp7]

They make are few products, that claim to stop coolant leaks. I give them a search online and see what people say, who used them.