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.

 

its the headgasket!

 

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.....

 

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

 

thank you

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

 

right side is covered with oil


I have never done this before but its not that bad

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

That's what the Haynes manual says.

 

thank you

 

k got it back together and it runs

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

 

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..

 

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