I wasn't gonna do up a thread on this project because it was supposed to be an easy, 8 hour head gasket job with a couple days in between at the shop getting a valve job. Unfortunately not so, so I figured I'd get this up for anybody who is intimidated by the task to show how I've been doing it for years with success. A lot of guys I see don't tackle this stuff because they don't have a garage or a ton of experience. We do all of our work outside, in the grass, under an old tent canvas strung up over a really old military tent frame. Paired with a fan, you can work all day when its 100+ out with 100% humidity. If anyone is interested I'll post up some pics of our makeshift shop.

Unfortunately I don't have any pics of the truck before the head came off, but I will be updating with pics on Monday as we progress.

The truck is a 1981 single cab 4wd 20R, my brothers trail rig. We pulled the head because of some smoke and fluid mixing where it ought not mix. Dropped the head off to my buddy's machine shop yesterday, and as luck would have it, cracked. SO, I'm gonna yank the block and we're doing a complete rebuild along with a new head obviously. I will update Monday when we get back to it, and as long as Junior doesn't get too busy at the shop, we'll have her finished up Thursday.



UPDATE, 24 May
Got the motor out this morning, and of course just in time to leave for work. I've pulled a lot of motors, but I must admit, this thing was a breeze! I determined the easiest way was to unbolt the motor mounts at the frame mount. 8 bolts and 4 in bell housing And she popped right out. I know some folks are opposed to lifting the motor by the head bolts, and for good reason - you are taking the risk of one pulling through the threads and possibly killing your block. I have never had any issues doing this, it is how I was taught. However, I recommend before tackling this project, do your research and come to your own decision on how to lift the block.



More to come
G

 

Sounds like a quick turn around. It usually takes a while for me just getting the parts in and machine work done. Having a friend that works at the machine shop is going to be a big help for the speed of it.

 

Advantages of living in a small town. My buddy's shop is an auto parts/repair/machine shop in one. The old farmers still can be found talking trash and smoking at the parts counter every day around noon