My D2 saga of HELL(p?) mostly cooling system..
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Overlanding
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, OK
You want someone to baby you around or you want honesty? Mike's post was honest and was the same thing I was thinking.
Did you know if you over torque the head bolts on these blocks you can cause cracks in the block which will lead to a 4k repair bill on top of your homegrown head gasket job?
If the answer was no, wipe the tears out of your eyes, go find $2,500 and a pro or continue playing the games you are playing with your cooling system.
If you decide on the latter, put a bike in the back of your truck. You'll need it to get home pretty soon.
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Did you know if you over torque the head bolts on these blocks you can cause cracks in the block which will lead to a 4k repair bill on top of your homegrown head gasket job?
If the answer was no, wipe the tears out of your eyes, go find $2,500 and a pro or continue playing the games you are playing with your cooling system.
If you decide on the latter, put a bike in the back of your truck. You'll need it to get home pretty soon.
...
Yeah I know you can over torque the head bolts but thanks for the heads up anyway.
If anyone can really answer my questions about what gasket kit to go with(someone mentioned the AB kit, can you elaborate?) and machining the heads, I'd appreciate it. Regardless of who does the job or helps me do the job, I'd still like to know these things. Taking the mechanics word for it has screwed me in the past.
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Overlanding
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, OK
OK Dude, deep breath....
If you don't have any tools and you haven't tackled something like this before, it will be challenging, but not impossible. I have NO idea what your situation...but you must address the issue and not the symptoms unless you don't have a problem writing the truck off.
Here's what I would do...and we all have to try in order to get experience, right? Read the RAVE manual and understand what's involved. Print the pages that address the process, and go out to your truck, pages in hand, and visually identify what you'll need to do to accomplish the task.
Organization is key when working on anything. Make a list of tools you have and tools you'll need to procure. Make a list of supplies that you'll need and get those procured as well. Take some good pictures from several angles of the engine bay and note where the various hoses/cables/wires route and attach.
When you're ready to dive in, get your mind straight; it's easy to be pissed at the situation, at the truck and everything else. If you feel that way, or feel "pressed for time" stop. Circle back when you're feeling better and up to the task. It makes a real difference!
If you get stuck on something, just ask! And FWIW...Mike will talk you through any challenges you might have. He's a GREAT asset and is one of the most generous people I've ever known when it comes to assistance and know how. Use him as a reference!
Finally, don't be afraid to dive in. It's aggrevating now, but you'll have an immense feeling of accomplishment when you're done!
R&R cylinder heads on push rod motors are really no biggie. You can do this!
If you don't have any tools and you haven't tackled something like this before, it will be challenging, but not impossible. I have NO idea what your situation...but you must address the issue and not the symptoms unless you don't have a problem writing the truck off.
Here's what I would do...and we all have to try in order to get experience, right? Read the RAVE manual and understand what's involved. Print the pages that address the process, and go out to your truck, pages in hand, and visually identify what you'll need to do to accomplish the task.
Organization is key when working on anything. Make a list of tools you have and tools you'll need to procure. Make a list of supplies that you'll need and get those procured as well. Take some good pictures from several angles of the engine bay and note where the various hoses/cables/wires route and attach.
When you're ready to dive in, get your mind straight; it's easy to be pissed at the situation, at the truck and everything else. If you feel that way, or feel "pressed for time" stop. Circle back when you're feeling better and up to the task. It makes a real difference!
If you get stuck on something, just ask! And FWIW...Mike will talk you through any challenges you might have. He's a GREAT asset and is one of the most generous people I've ever known when it comes to assistance and know how. Use him as a reference!
Finally, don't be afraid to dive in. It's aggrevating now, but you'll have an immense feeling of accomplishment when you're done!
R&R cylinder heads on push rod motors are really no biggie. You can do this!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 31
Likes: 1
Cool! Ok, the headgasket kit can be found here. Not sure if this is the most recommended kit, but it is from a reputable and reliable supplier.
If you've got two hands, that's even better! You will need to get the head(s) surfaced. It's not expensive and shouldn't be an issue where you live.
The process might freak you out if you haven't done this before; you'll have the top end of the motor COMPLETELY apart...but again, it ain't that big of a deal.
If you've got two hands, that's even better! You will need to get the head(s) surfaced. It's not expensive and shouldn't be an issue where you live.
The process might freak you out if you haven't done this before; you'll have the top end of the motor COMPLETELY apart...but again, it ain't that big of a deal.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 31
Likes: 1
One more thing...and I certainly understand that funds can be tight (I REALLY understand, believe me), but now IS THE TIME to address anything that will soon need to be changed and is a PIA to get to: plug wires and hoses come immediately to mind...TB gaskets, etc. Takes no extra time to complete this and have it done and off your mind.
Mudding
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 190
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio, Texas
You can do it man! There was a girl on the forum a couple of weeks back who hadn't worked on a car a day in her life and she got the help from the forum members and got the job done!
I wish you the best man.
Regards,
I wish you the best man.
Regards,
like i said before order the kit from AB along with new head bolts and give yourself a weekend. maybe it will help to have someone you know who can turn a wrench to help you out. buy em a case of beer and a foot long sandwich.
just take it slow, use the RAVE manual, take pics of how things were so you can put them back together, and mark all bolts and nuts that you take off.
just take it slow, use the RAVE manual, take pics of how things were so you can put them back together, and mark all bolts and nuts that you take off.
You can totally do this yourself. I was in a similar situation. Blown head gasket & no way I wanted to pay a mechanic that much even if I could afford it. Organization is key. Get yourself a bunch of ziplock bags and label them with anything you take off. The RAVE manual is very step by step & has a ton of pictures. I took the laptop right out to the truck with me & used it.
I ordered the AB kit that was posted above & new headbolts also from AB. If you are unsure, they are very helpful if you call. I did, just to make sure I was buying the right stuff.
Other than a metric & standard socket set, a few things you will need...
A 12pt 12mm socket for the exhaust manifold bolts.
A 12pt 8mm socket for the valve cover bolts. I had a 3/8 drive socket, but if I had to do it again I'd have bought a 1/4" drive. they are recessed a bit & the smaller size would have helped. -I bought these individually. I had a hard time finding the 8mm in a set. Most sets locally seemed to start at 10mm.
a 5/8" impact socket for the headbolts. A regular socket will work, but they are tight and you might break/ round off a regular one.
I picked up a set of wobble extensions. The headbolts closest to the firewall are a b**** to get out & these helped some.
A breaker bar or a long handled ratchet & a pipe for leverage.
The RAVE manual will give you the acceptable amount of warpage. Just take the heads in and have them checked. Get the measurements & ten decide if they need machined. Mine didn't. I think it was .002 inches, but the rave manual will list it.
Expect a weekend of solid work + the time it takes to get the heads checked.
Its not fun, but it will give you a good chance to learn a lot about your truck. People here will help you if you get stuck. I called DiscoMike twice just to make sure I had a good game plan & he was super nice & very helpful!
The feeling you have when it's done is unreal. I am now convinced I may fix things myself and drive this thing forever! The best part, all the little annoying things like windows, oddball clicking, sunroof issues, small leaks- Those all seem like quick easy DIY fixes after the head gasket job!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 31
Likes: 1
That was me.
<snip>
The feeling you have when it's done is unreal. I am now convinced I may fix things myself and drive this thing forever! The best part, all the little annoying things like windows, oddball clicking, sunroof issues, small leaks- Those all seem like quick easy DIY fixes after the head gasket job!
<snip>
The feeling you have when it's done is unreal. I am now convinced I may fix things myself and drive this thing forever! The best part, all the little annoying things like windows, oddball clicking, sunroof issues, small leaks- Those all seem like quick easy DIY fixes after the head gasket job!
I bought my disco over an X5 which were quite a bit more expensive...and maybe even twice as expensive. If you troll some of the BMW X5 boards, I think you'll quickly see that these are a walk in the park. I'd rather do head gaskets ANY DAY on a GM based V8 than pull a tranny on an AWD X5...the failure modes on those damn things are complex, expensive AND they'll strand you...
Three Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Atlantic Beach, FL
I would (and did) order from Atlantic British. Their kit is very thorough, and according to them they swap out the head gaskets with upgraded composite gaskets that are supposed to last longer. It also includes the upgraded throttle body heater kit. This should also last longer than the original design. It will be much easier to replace while off the truck. The other thing I would take care of at the same time is the cooling system. If you can swing it, get all new hoses since the old ones should be on their way out. AB has a hose kit that can save you a few bucks.
Give them a call and they will help you sort through the parts you might need.
Also, if you haven't already look into finding a local club. http://www.okrovers.com maybe? Might be some member who can help with tools and know how.
Give them a call and they will help you sort through the parts you might need.
Also, if you haven't already look into finding a local club. http://www.okrovers.com maybe? Might be some member who can help with tools and know how.
Last edited by Wolkesan; Apr 28, 2010 at 05:05 PM.
Thread Starter
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Overlanding
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa, OK
The feeling you have when it's done is unreal. I am now convinced I may fix things myself and drive this thing forever! The best part, all the little annoying things like windows, oddball clicking, sunroof issues, small leaks- Those all seem like quick easy DIY fixes after the head gasket job!
I'll update once I get get somewhere.. or have a problem.