head gasket replacement

Topic: head gasket replacement (Read 1795 times) previous topic - next topic

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Reply #15 – March 14, 2010, 06:48:42 PM

Bump -

Anyone have any suggestions...

head gasket replacement

Reply #16 – March 15, 2010, 08:44:57 PM

Since I got no feedback, I figured I will take the heads off and have them resurfaced. Install all new gaskets and hope for the best.

Trying to play it safe, I guess.

head gasket replacement

Reply #17 – March 22, 2010, 12:01:27 AM

hey bigherm

i didnt fix my yet well i kinda have. i used some stuff liquid stuff called steel seal.
and it worked for about 2,000 miles and then the leaking came back. so i dumped another bottle in and that helped for another 1,500. the second bottle didnt work as well, so i tried another brand called blue devil. i cant replace the head gasket right now as i have my 1995 towncar in pulled apart for the same problem , though i am hoping its just the intake manifold gasket on the towncar. a few weeks ago i changed the plugs on the car and the left side plugs were all wet and the right side plugs were not. so hopefully this liquid stuff will work till i can get the job done the right way. anyway good luck with yours .

head gasket replacement

Reply #18 – March 29, 2010, 02:23:36 PM

FWIW:

I'm the original owner of a 1984, 3.8L cougar.
Had a high end rebuilder rebuild the engine (about 3000 miles ago).-- big $$.

Head gaskets major issue on the 3.8.
Tend to crack by the lower head bolts because of lack of radius on the heads.
Crack appears to open up once engine heats up, but crack doesn't show under testing.

Rebuilder initially used standard Ford gaskets, then tried MLS. Still had issues.
Finally went with "Irontite" -- composite ceramic -- and sealed the
MLS from the inside coolant channel..

Whether will hold -- jury still out.

Low oil pressure also a problem after rebuild.
"Rebuilder" magazine has an article on how to prevent.

If you go ahead and redo, would also look at whether or not you can
swap Cams and go with a roller bearing instead of back with the
flat tappet cam. Wish I had known about this, as flat tappet requires
more ZDDP in the oil -- most oils no longer have the 1200-1500 PPM required
and additives are expensive. COMP Cams had a lot of cam failures
because of this -- lack of ZDDP.

There is one rebuilder -- Toronto Canada - that supposedly specializes in the 3.8L and
races these engines. Don't recall name off hand, never used him, but based on web info
appears to know what he's doing.

Hope above helps.

head gasket replacement

Reply #19 – March 29, 2010, 10:10:00 PM

Quote from: blackcat85;315282

hey bigherm

i didnt fix my yet well i kinda have. i used some stuff liquid stuff called steel seal.
and it worked for about 2,000 miles and then the leaking came back. so i dumped another bottle in and that helped for another 1,500. the second bottle didnt work as well, so i tried another brand called blue devil. i cant replace the head gasket right now as i have my 1995 towncar in pulled apart for the same problem , though i am hoping its just the intake manifold gasket on the towncar. a few weeks ago i changed the plugs on the car and the left side plugs were all wet and the right side plugs were not. so hopefully this liquid stuff will work till i can get the job done the right way. anyway good luck with yours .

Yeah, I am kind of in the same boat I have another car tore apart and I am trying to get one of them done. But I always seem to be running out of time. I will look into the products you mentioned. Good luck.

head gasket replacement

Reply #20 – March 29, 2010, 10:14:46 PM

Quote from: dw85745;316385

FWIW:

I'm the original owner of a 1984, 3.8L cougar.
Had a high end rebuilder rebuild the engine (about 3000 miles ago).-- big $$.

Head gaskets major issue on the 3.8.
Tend to crack by the lower head bolts because of lack of radius on the heads.
Crack appears to open up once engine heats up, but crack doesn't show under testing.

Rebuilder initially used standard Ford gaskets, then tried MLS. Still had issues.
Finally went with "Irontite" -- composite ceramic -- and sealed the
MLS from the inside coolant channel..

Whether will hold -- jury still out.

Low oil pressure also a problem after rebuild.
"Rebuilder" magazine has an article on how to prevent.

If you go ahead and redo, would also look at whether or not you can
swap Cams and go with a roller bearing instead of back with the
flat tappet cam. Wish I had known about this, as flat tappet requires
more ZDDP in the oil -- most oils no longer have the 1200-1500 PPM required
and additives are expensive. COMP Cams had a lot of cam failures
because of this -- lack of ZDDP.

There is one rebuilder -- Toronto Canada - that supposedly specializes in the 3.8L and
races these engines. Don't recall name off hand, never used him, but based on web info
appears to know what he's doing.

Hope above helps.

I have been kicking the idea around of putting 351W in the car instead of rebuilding the 3.8.

As far as oil with ZDDP, I have been using the Napa Premium 15W40. It is their fleet services oil and still has adequate zddp levels.

Thanks for the info.

head gasket replacement

Reply #21 – March 30, 2010, 08:41:45 AM

351W is the way I'd go after all the hassle with the 3.8.

Interesting on NAPA. I think will still have one outlet locally.
I know Shell Rotella still has higher ZDDP (around 1200), but that also is supposed to change and go lower.

This is an continuing ongoing issue as the oil manufacturers are continually changing their mix. Spent a lot of time with this issue. For example oil grading (SJ, SL, SM) has NOTHING to do with it. This is considered and additive so doesn't fall under grading standard.

You can get some racing oils with higher ZDDP but big $$$.

head gasket replacement

Reply #22 – March 30, 2010, 04:41:33 PM

3.8's are known to blow head gaskets, It's not a mystery. If you replace them you can get a long time before it happens again. Make sure it wasn't warped , and install a good name gasket. Sometimes the intake leaks and everybody says the head. That's negotiable , because when you replace the head gaskets you will replace the intake gasket. A compression check can usually find the difference. Worst case it can be a cracked head , then you put it back together and never know what happened.