Head Gasket project this weekend.

[Dzlnut]

Gasket kit from Ford (check)
Updated HPOP fitting (check)
New Oil Cooler (check)
Studs (check)
Dealer on standby with one head in stock (check)
Machine shop coming in on Saturday to mill heads (check)


I'm doing the job with the cab on and pray that both heads check out. I don't really want to drop 1100.00 each on heads.

Any advise??

 

[SIX_OHH]

Take the cab off.

 

[Dzlnut]

I wish I could.

 

[SIX_OHH]

Then don't ***k anything up taking the heads off. After doing this I don't think you can do a good job with the cab on. Well you can but I wouldn't trust it.

 

[Dzlnut]

It will deffinately take longer for sure.

 

[SIX_OHH]

Take longer...not really. The potential for seriously screwing something up is greatly enhanced.

 

[hawgdoctor]

Just take your time. Lso make sure you have someone there to help lifting the heads in, and out. Less chance of dickin them up when going back in. Also zip ties will be your friend when you go back together to help hold a few of them studs up till they're over their appropriate holes. Need any pointers give me a shout on here, or if you want my number hit me with a pm. Done several of these this way so I can give you lots of pointers.

 

[8inchstroker]

beer?

 

[SIX_OHH]

no beer for cab on job.

 

[Spindrift]

The extra couple of inches that the electronic Snap-on torque wrench gives you makes all the difference in the world for a cab on job.

 

[JDub]

What did you do? Pull the ole switch a-roo with Tommy?

 

[Dzlnut]

Ya we traded trucks, he didn't wanna put the money into fixing this one and he liked my OBS. It was a good deal for both of us. I plan to convert it to 4x4 soon.

 

[Dzlnut]

The extra couple of inches that the electronic Snap-on torque wrench gives you makes all the difference in the world for a cab on job.

I have one in 1/2 inch...

 

[STROKER]

i used an engine hoist to the pull the heads on mine that way i didnt mess em up, also id get a big table to lay everything out on having everything organized makes reassembly bout 100 times easier

 

[Dzlnut]

Got the heads off last night, I was glad to not see any cracks between the valves. I took the a/c box off the fire wall and that made a huge amount of room. Both gaskets were blown.

 

[SIX_OHH]

Good deal! Put them one safely and prepare them well.

 

[Dzlnut]

Done!! Runs awesome!!

Replaced

Oil Cooler
Pipe from HPOP to Branch Pipe
changed IPR screen and Orings
Glow Plug Harness on R. Side
Thermostat
Headgaskets
valvecover gaskets
injector orings
rocker box gaskets
exhaust manifold gaskets
I'm sure there was more.

Heads checked and decked

 

[amarillo250]

awsome, glad to hear it can be done. Got any pics of it to see how and what to check for, special tricks etc.

 

[Dzlnut]

I didn't take any pictures of the process. I took the heater box out, it was crazy easy, 6 nuts on the inside of the cab and a vac line, it came right out. Used a engine hoist on the driver side to pull and install cyl head. Passenger side myself and a couple buddies lifted it the head out and in. I cut my fan shroud on the side near the top on both sides, it looks like it was supposed to have a seam there, then screwed it back together. Gotta get the block surface clean...clean...clean, be careful using a die grinder gasket remover, you can ruin the surface if used improperly. I am 6'2 and 260lbs and torquing the head studs was a work out..lol. I was not a cheap skate on parts, I did everything possible to make sure this was done right and it would last.

 

[JDub]

I didn't take any pictures of the process. I took the heater box out, it was crazy easy, 6 nuts on the inside of the cab and a vac line, it came right out. Used a engine hoist on the driver side to pull and install cyl head. Passenger side myself and a couple buddies lifted it the head out and in. I cut my fan shroud on the side near the top on both sides, it looks like it was supposed to have a seam there, then screwed it back together. Gotta get the block surface clean...clean...clean, be careful using a die grinder gasket remover, you can ruin the surface if used improperly. I am 6'2 and 260lbs and torquing the head studs was a work out..lol. I was not a cheap skate on parts, I did everything possible to make sure this was done right and it would last.

Time for some custom tunes now! I can't even imagine doing that job in a garage with no hoist...