Someone local-ish is selling a LR4 that reportedly has a bad head gasket, well under market because it's going to be an expensive repair. The head gasket itself isn't so bad but labor is going to be pretty intensive, that much I know. Has anyone here replaced a head gasket on the 5.0 or had it done, are these prone to failure? Anything special involved beyond the timing correct? Google isn't helping much.

 

So it really depends on how bad the motor was overheated. The 5.0 does not respond well to overheating. It could be as simple as having the heads decked and new gaskets but it could have damaged the block meaning new engine time $$$$.

The heads can be done with the engine in, but most folks with the ability will pull the body. while you are in there I would make sure the timing update is done, and replace the water pump.

 

if You are going to do a head job, make sure to get a helicoil kit as well, you know, for those threads that will get pulled up when trying to torque down the head.

 

 

And that's the kind of info I came here for, thank you all. Think I will pass. Looks like used motors are >$8K and too much risk in just doing the head gaskets, because I would suspect that they overheated it and drove it until it stopped.

And my garage isn't tall enough for a body off. It looks daunting but my research says it's a 4-6 hour job the first time and down to 2 hours with practice. I find that rather amazing.