Please answer my head gasket questions!

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Deerwashed

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Dec 10, 2010
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hey guys,
i got the low coolant warning, and no drip on the ground so i thought it was in my oil meaning internal leak. let it sit overnight, rad hose still rock hard, and a ton of pressure in bottle.

so I got a head gasket leak! best part you ask??? im 300 Miles from home!

i drove 600 miles or so, and over the course of that 600 miles the coolant was entering the oil. i dont want to drive it anymore at the risk of ruining my crank bearings.

so, im doing this in a parking lot with a pretty large assortment of sockets and wrenches. and other hand tools(i will buy more) and i will be here for at least another week so im doing it here.

a few questions though.....

i dont have a power washer, so i cant wash it before hand. but how do i prevent dirt from entering the cylinder once the head is off? im just gonna tape it off with painters tape i think.

how do i clean the surface of block that meets the head? i dont want anything getting in the cylinder?

what do i inspect/look for on block and piston when it is off?(i have never pulled the head off anything)

when i finish this job, do i need to adjust the timing?(i hope not)

can a machine shop set valve last?(im thinking about doing .011 in case one is overtightened)

do i need to pinch off a fuel line, then run the truck dry of fuel before this job?(i might empty the fuel filter then not prime it, and let it run dry)

do i need any specialty tools for this job i should get? do i need a torque wrench larger then 150ft/lbs?



if you can answer one or all of these questions you would be of help! i am a college student and really cant afford to pay someone to do this, so might as well try it myself!

if any central PA guys wanna come give me a hand for 10 minutes, or a whole day i would really appreciate that. im down at Penn State for a summer class(only way i could get in $$$ wise) and am not home working making that $$$

thanks,
Hank
 
H

Hot COCOAL

May the farce be with you
Jun 9, 2012
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That's crappy man...

What year truck is it?
I don't know off hand what the tq specs is on the head bolts, they are TTY bolts tho (torque to yield) and can only be used once...

With the engine in the bay and/or the cab on the frame you've got quite a task ahead of you... Most everything on my LBZ is 10mm or 12mm, a couple 13 and 14mm and the fuel line couplers are 17mm and 19mm, you'll want an assortment of regular and deep sockets, extensions and ratcheting box ends are nice to have.

As far as cleaning it goes... Some engine degreaser and a spray bottle with water will work "ok" for a parking lot job, lots of rags/shop towels and some HD paper towels too. Maybe even buy a 5G portable air tank, some hose and a blower attachment to have some compressed air to blow debris off the engine as you work. You could fill it at a gas station as you need the air

I don't think it's necessary to run the fuel system dry, but it might be nice to have a bucket or two and drain the coolant system down a bit, it might be a good ideat to also grab some kitty litter or oil absorbent material so you don't get in trouble with a spill of any kind...
 
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Deerwashed

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Dec 10, 2010
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im using arp studs.

my truck is an lly.

so what about cleaning the mating surfaces between head and block?

what should i look for when inspecting cylinders and piston heads?
 
H

Hot COCOAL

May the farce be with you
Jun 9, 2012
4,433
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If you can't get them surfaced I've read some guys have used scotch brite pads or equivilant to in a pinch...not ideal by any means but better than nothing!

Iirc, the gaskets are MLS (multi layer steel) so there shouldn't need to be much cleaning to be done...
 
D

Deerwashed

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Dec 10, 2010
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i am getting the heads machined, im talking about the block itself. scotch bright pads and carb cleaner on a towel sounds like a good idea.

i would love to find one of those DIY garages around here, or a basic garage i could rent. but craigslist isnt pulling much up. i really wish i knew some locals around here like my hometown, but im still new on the block.

Porno Joe,
if you know of anyone around here i could pay for some garage space i would love that. :hug:
Im really just trying to get this done before my buddies and i go to toby Keith in the Pittsburgh area.
 
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Deerwashed

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Dec 10, 2010
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do i need to buy an injector puller if i wanna reuse my injectors? should i soak my injectors in anything to clean them out before reinstallation?
 
IOWA LLY

IOWA LLY

Yes, its really me
Feb 23, 2007
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Please don't take this wrong. But you are in over your head.

This is not a job for someone who has never had the head off of something. Asking if the machine shop can set valve lash for you is a dead giveaway you don't what your getting yourself into.

And I would definitely not recommend attempting this job in a parking lot. Not saying it can't be done. But it shouldn't be done.

You will regret this if you attempt it.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2
 
D

Deerwashed

New member
Dec 10, 2010
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I mean, i have had the heads off of tractors, and straight 6's but never a v8 of this caliber.
Having the machine shop set valve lash is just because i am not home with my buddies who know more than i do and teach me the ways.


anyways it doesnt really matter. i may have whytry do it if i can find a way to get it to him.
 
IOWA LLY

IOWA LLY

Yes, its really me
Feb 23, 2007
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The machine shop cannot set the valve lash for you. It is something that is done once the head and valvetrain have been installed on the engine.



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zf>allison

zf>allison

you never had your car.
Apr 30, 2013
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elsberry mo
I did my injectors in the street in front of my rental house and it was a job. Have my heads at the machine shop now. Would not do this in a parking lot.
 
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