I was planning on flushing both systems. I did remember (after you mentioned it) that I do have a block heater! Sweet.

Should I replace my oil filter each time as well? Or should I replace my oil after the headgasket replacement/warm up/test run drain and replace both after say 100 miles? Should I just get budget (not super cheapo) oil for the couple flush fills?

Thanks,
Bink

 

So I am starting to think I will just do it all now, head gasket, timing chain, cover, guides, oil pump. Anyone have any guess on how long it would take for all this, I am experienced with wrenching, but not with engines/cars. I am getting excited actually, which is good. I think I am going to go with the DNJ full gasket set and head bolts (engnbldr supplier), I know everyone says OEM but I will give it a shot. Aisin oil pump and engnbldr supplied timing chain set with cover.

Maybe not though, looks like there have been a lot of people who have had problems with the Rock HGs, I still don't know what I am going to do, guess I just need to get started and go from there.

 

I just assembled my truck yesterday which marks 4 weeks off the road. (I still need to add oil/coolant and start it though). 4 weeks is definitely the longer end though, I only really worked on it on Saturdays, and then only when I had time. If I added up my time I bet it only took around 5 days (40 hrs-ish) if that.

 

one important question we all forget to ask.............why did it blow the headgasket? pre-ignition? detonation?

 

analyze your spark plugs to find evidence of lean, rich, too much timing, low timing conditions etc. HG have to blow for a reasson and not just because they are old.

 

Sin, I was planning on checking the plugs for evidence. I bought the truck from a friend who said it had overheated from a bad water pump. There was no coolant in the oil when I bought the truck but knew it was a possiblility. I replaced the water pump and some other stuff. I was hesitant but tried using Seafoam, added to the gas, after that I started noticing coolant in my oil.

 

Funny you mention that, right after I added seafoam I started getting white smoke. I thought it was just the seafoam but it kept coming, intermittently at first, until it was a steady cloud. A few days later I got the oil/coolant mixing so I pulled the head. The gasket had cracks in it so I suspect the seafoam loosened up something in an already fragile head gasket, maybe?

 

then is pretty straight forward. replace HG and I don't see skiping the head inspection as an option. you have to get it checked if it over heated. chances are it will need to be slightly shaved off. it is also a good idea to check the block deck for flatness depending how bad the HG is blown and where.

It is also a good idea to re-ring the pistons. you might get lucky and get away with just replacing the head gasket. but don't be surprised if you later get a little blow by or a lot. but either way your best bet is to just replace the HG and see what happens before deciding to tare everything apart.

 

another thing I have learned over the years when engines blow..

If the truck had good clean quality engine oil when it overheated, there's a good chance your rings are ok.

 

That's reassuring, my oil was clean and my cylinder walls are smooth as can be. I do NOT want to start this up and have to tear down in a few months!

 

That's exactly what I think happened drewski. Same thing happened to me (white smoke then coolant in oil).

That's exactly what I was thinking sin, replace the headgasket, have the head checked and decked at a shop and see what happens, when spring hits I will have a lot more money and it will be much easier to find a place to work.

 

So I have to move the truck to a garage I now have to use, my question for you all is how bad would it be to drive maybe a half mile with coolant in the oil? Obviously it isn't good, obviously you can't say what would happen but just how big a risk to the motor it would be. I would really rather not have to pay for a tow truck however much just to get it down the road but if I really have to I guess I will just have to pony up.

 

depends. i once drove for many miles with milk shake in the coolant but the oil pan was coolant free úntil about 5 miles then i stopped. the mess was not worth the extra 60-100 bucks i had to pay for towing to near by 3-4 mile home.

you already have water in oil. you are beyond the border line. if you are that close get someone to haul you with a rope

 

oil and water siting between bearings for days and then a sudden engine start cant be good. not to mention your piston rings and walls already being washed off with coolant.

 

Well I had a long weekend and got the head off, I can't get the rockers off the head though, I was standing in the engine bay trying to pull the thing off and it just wouldn't budge, I am really worried about that, so I pulled the whole head with the rockers still on. I will get some pictures up and update the original post later, it's break time after that. Really regretting not listening to everyone and just doing the timing cover, after you get this far it really is dumb not to do it, but I don't think there is a good way to get the crank bolt off anymore... Oh well I plan on doing a cheapo king set for now and when spring comes doing a more extensive overhaul when it isn't the wisconsin winter... wait a second its almost 45 today, where is that wisconsin winter anyways....

 

You need to pull the timing chain before head..
Also, you dont need to pull the rocker assy. to pull the head.
Also, if your engine didnt overheat, then you don't need to get the head checked/decked.
Also, if you go buy a machinists metal ruler, you can check if the head is flat in your garage. just sayin'

 

I need to remove the timing chain? Why? I already have the head off, I know I don't need to pull the rockers but I am bringing it to a machine shop to have it checked and decked because it did overheat. This rockers thing is really worrying me, I am scared I am going to warp the head just trying to get the damn thing off, if the head isn't garbage to begin with!