So after a lot of testing (Leak down, pressure and chemical block tests) its looking like I have a blown head gasket (and possibly cracked block/head or slipped sleeves). Looks like HG kits run about $500 so I was going to just pull the heads and see what is actually going on under there. Ive done HG jobs on other vehicles and used other forums for tips and suggestions but I cant find anything anywhere about anyone doing a head gasket replacement on a 4.4. Anyone have experience with these and can recommend a good shop manual with the details (torque sequence etc.) and any special tools needed?

 

So after more research, I found all the manuals and special tools needed but decided that I'm just going to replace the entire motor. After all is said and done, doing the job myself, I'll be into it at least $900 not even knowing if there's other problems from the overheat whereas I can get a tested used motor with less mils for +/-$1300.

 

sounds like a solid plan. The one thing that kicks everyone's A$$ is getting the driver side motor mount bolts, you have to remove the steering linkage.

Good luck.

 

Thanks! I saw your post about removing your motor without taking off the body, I was excited to see that someone else had done this because that is what I was going to try. Ive done motor swaps on other vehicles, but other than the steering linkage, were there any other oddities or anything else you can recommend? Where did you end up strapping the cherry picker to on the engine?

 

I cant remember exactly. Let me think about it.

 

Hey there,

can you link me to the guide about doing the replacement of the head gasket? Lmk pls. I’d love to take a look, because mine is blown.