spiderx

Hello everyone

I have a 88 v6 3.0 extra cab pickup and the other day the truck overheated and oil was pouring out of the rad. There were no signs that the head gasket was on the way out at least thats what I gather happened. My question really is are there any other things to look for to suspect a cracked block? I drained the oil and its pure (no water). Any help would be great!

I have decided to replace the head gasket myself.

Bigblock

its the headgasket!

dragon564

Steam clean everyting that you can see on the block.....get all the grime off.......then fill the fluids to the correct levels and run the truck for a few minutes to let it warm up.....look for fluild leaks......That or pull the motor for the HG work and send to block in for an acid bath......they will let you know if the block is wasted or not.....

ChickenLover

It's more than likely a blown head gasket. I seriously doubt it's the block.

spiderx

thank you

I bought the gasket kit and am taking it apart today.

spiderx

right side is covered with oil


I have never done this before but its not that bad

Yota4runner

Just remember to take your time, label things, and take lots of pics

spiderx

Thanks for the tips
I still love the truck after 10 years and will try anything lol
If I get stuck I will post

spiderx

does anyone have the Cylinder head torque specs. I can't seem to find them

calisurferdude2000

Step 1. 33ft-lbs
Step 2. Turn additional 90-degrees (1/4 turn)
Step 3. Turn additional 90-degrees (1/4 turn)

spiderx

thats funny the existing ones were at 60ft-lbs and I have been driving for ten years.

calisurferdude2000

That's what the Haynes manual says.

spiderx

thank you

spiderx

k got it back together and it runs

but lumpy on low speed and great in faster speed. could this be the timing?

stockrocker

could be timing... any knocking? my buddy had a similar problem, he didnt have a valve lined up with a rocker and had to get a valve replaced..

spiderx

no knocking

I have read somewhere that it could possibly just be the spark plug cables or a vaccum leak I'm going to test it today