(Update) Any Ford Mechanics (300 l6 head gasket)
#7019950
10/17/20 08:51 PM
10/17/20 08:51 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 491 Adirondacks NY
Forest
OP
trapper
|
OP
trapper
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 491
Adirondacks NY
|
I’ve got a 88 f-150 with 300 l6 that has a blown head gasket. I am wondering what else I should replace when doing the job, and any other tips.
I have a reliable shop I plan to take the head to to have it checked and resurfaced. I am not sure if maybe it’s just cheaper to buy another one online instead. The shop said $135 just to have it cleaned up and checked...
Pm me if you want Thanks
Last edited by Forest; 02/12/21 12:09 PM.
Paul Smiths Forestry ‘22
|
|
|
Re: Any Ford Mechanics on here? (300 l6 head gasket)
[Re: Forest]
#7020336
10/18/20 10:15 AM
10/18/20 10:15 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,366 New York border
Cragar
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,366
New York border
|
300cid I-6 is a good engine , had one in my '85 E-150. Worth fixin back up.
How many miles and how tough a life it has had may give better clues as to what else needs to be done while it is apart.
Good luck with your project.
NRA benefactor member
|
|
|
Re: Any Ford Mechanics on here? (300 l6 head gasket)
[Re: Forest]
#7020341
10/18/20 10:22 AM
10/18/20 10:22 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 491 Adirondacks NY
Forest
OP
trapper
|
OP
trapper
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 491
Adirondacks NY
|
I believe it has 210,000 on it. Odometer is 6 digit down to 0.1 of a mile and title doesn’t say. Had transmission replaced. I rebuilt the transfer case last fall. Loses about a quart of oil every 1000 miles. Farm truck for the last 12 years. I’d like to be able to drive it to school 2hrs away once in a while.
Thanks
Paul Smiths Forestry ‘22
|
|
|
Re: Any Ford Mechanics on here? (300 l6 head gasket)
[Re: Forest]
#7020556
10/18/20 03:21 PM
10/18/20 03:21 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,896 Oakland, MS
Drifter
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,896
Oakland, MS
|
I remember some of the older ones the rocker arm shafts would work up causing noise from excess clearance. They used to drill and pin them in place to cure that. That engine has been around a long time. Not quite as long as me though LOL.
Some individuals use statistics as a drunk man uses lamp-posts — for support rather than for illumination.
Andrew Lang (1844-1912) Scottish poet, novelist and literary critic
Life member NTA , and GA Trappers assoc .
|
|
|
Re: Any Ford Mechanics on here? (300 l6 head gasket)
[Re: Forest]
#7020582
10/18/20 04:11 PM
10/18/20 04:11 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,366 New York border
Cragar
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,366
New York border
|
You mention a bit of oil loss , didn't state whether it is leaking or burning it. Since you have the head off , I would replace the valve guide seals. Easy to do if you have a valve spring compressor , if not the machine shop can do it. Parts are relatively cheap. On that mileage/age it is common for them to be shot a bit.
NRA benefactor member
|
|
|
Re: Any Ford Mechanics on here? (300 l6 head gasket)
[Re: Forest]
#7020597
10/18/20 04:41 PM
10/18/20 04:41 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,817 central arkansas
the Blak Spot
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,817
central arkansas
|
How much for a rebuilt head compared to "checked and resurfaced "?
the just shall live by faith
member FTA, ATA, EAFT 1776 - the year we told a tyrant we weren't to be under a dictator Caveat ater macula
|
|
|
Re: Any Ford Mechanics on here? (300 l6 head gasket)
[Re: Forest]
#7020604
10/18/20 04:55 PM
10/18/20 04:55 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,641 Williamsport, Pa.
jk
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,641
Williamsport, Pa.
|
Not a Ford fan but that was a GREAT engine. Many friends had them and they lasted a long time. Put these questions to your mechanic if you really trust his judgment......jk
Free people are not equal. Equal people are not free. What's supposed to be ain't always is. Hopper Hunter
|
|
|
Re: Any Ford Mechanics on here? (300 l6 head gasket)
[Re: Forest]
#7021001
10/19/20 12:06 AM
10/19/20 12:06 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 491 Adirondacks NY
Forest
OP
trapper
|
OP
trapper
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 491
Adirondacks NY
|
Yeah I’m not sure if it’s burning it or not. It doesn’t have noticeably blue exhaust. Now that the head is blown it obviously blows white. I am inclined to think that it it’s more of a leak. But I can’t figure out from where. It used to leak coolant, atf, and gas, but I found those leaks lol. Wasn’t tagged for a few years before I got it and has a lot of Red Green repair work I’ve been sorting out. Luckily it was free with a fresh can of gas to get it home. So I can’t complain.
Paul Smiths Forestry ‘22
|
|
|
Re: Any Ford Mechanics on here? (300 l6 head gasket)
[Re: Forest]
#7179257
02/12/21 01:10 PM
02/12/21 01:10 PM
|
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 491 Adirondacks NY
Forest
OP
trapper
|
OP
trapper
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 491
Adirondacks NY
|
So I’ve had the truck done for a few weeks now. The cylinder head was cracked in multiple places. I found an entire engine and some spare parts on Facebook marketplace for $150. The donor engine was in worse shape and had defined shelve on some cylinder walls. My truck had some minor scoring but it was hardly visible. The guy at the machine shop recommended I replace the cylinder rings because they can get damaged when an engine overheats, but I didn’t want to get that involved and decided to just run with the old ones for now. Seems to be running well now. There is no loss of power and it actually seems to shift smoother now that it runs better Runs a little rough at idle, but that problem existed before I started. Here are the items I replaced with price that includes shipping. I ordered from Rockauto, Amazon, and LMC truck. Amazon shipping was the fastest. LMC Truck sent me an EGR with a missing fitting, but they made it right and sent me a new one. I got some of the basic stuff from local auto parts stores. $102 EGR Tube $179 Gaskets, fuel injector, injector kit, lower radiator hose, steering gearbox rebuild kit, bolts, etc. $30 Waterpump $150 Donor truck cylinder head, alternator, alternator bracket, etc. $233 Rebuilt head machine shop (checked the old head and then checked and rebuilt the donor truck head) $40 serpentine belt Oil change $35 Power steering lines $78 Muffler/tail pipe $25 brake caliper All in all about $900 in repairs and preventative maintenance.
Paul Smiths Forestry ‘22
|
|
|
Re: Any Ford Mechanics on here? (300 l6 head gasket)
[Re: Forest]
#7179647
02/12/21 08:26 PM
02/12/21 08:26 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,779 Northern lower Michigan
Feedinggrounds
trapper
|
trapper
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,779
Northern lower Michigan
|
They are great engines, Chevy had a 292 that was great also. Lots of low rpm torque in those high cube inline sixes.
you're only allowed so many sunrises... I aim to see every one of them!
|
|
|
|
|