Builds g-man's land cruiser story

[FJ60Cam]

Things just got expensive. After cleaning off the sludge the shop found cracks in the head.

I didn’t want to say anything, but that is more common than a headgasket failure in 60 heads. My condolences, hope you find one quickly and cheaply!

 

[NeverGiveUpYota]

That stinks G... sorry to see that. @CenTXFJ60 no chance you have a good head kicking around in that big barn?

 

[g-man]

Thanks Fel, I need a 61040 head. The other number on the head is 1124 ...maybe a cast run number? Not sure if it's necessary. I did post up a "wanted" ad in the classified.

 

[g-man]

I didn’t want to say anything, but that is more common than a headgasket failure in 60 heads. My condolences, hope you find one quickly and cheaply!

thanks. I've got a few leads, unfortunately shipping will be involved.

 

[jcj_78FJ40]

Things just got expensive. After cleaning off the sludge the shop found cracks in the head.

If you mind me asking, what were the "leaky head gasket" symptoms you were having? I might be on the same boat.....

 

[g-man]

If you mind me asking, what were the "leaky head gasket" symptoms you were having? I might be on the same boat.....

signs and symptoms of a leaking head gasket I mean cracked head.

1. Coolant puddling up on top of the head. Take off the valve cover and check it. The gasket is rubber and can be re-used.

2. Exhaust pressurized cooling system. Evident by opening the radiator cap while still cold and having coolant pushing out.

3. I was losing coolant but never saw a drip or leak. I would top off my radiator about every 2 weeks with about a quart more or less depending on how much driving I was doing.

Interesting to note, My head repair guy said once he cleaned the sludge off the top of the head he could see rusty areas. He said that is usually a sign of a crack. Then he magnafluxed those areas and you could see the hairline cracks.

I never lost power. I never had milky oil although most likely some coolant did get in the oil. I never had lots of steam or white smoke at the exhaust pipe even at start up.

 

[g-man]

4. Heater blows warm but not hot like it used to.

 

[g-man]

5. Temp gauge reading right at the bottom of the white mark just above the "C"

 

[jcj_78FJ40]

Thanks! Mine not nearly that bad but I will pull the valve cover and check it.

 

[g-man]

#4 and #5 .. caused by thermostat gasket out of position. Mine had slipped upper gasket on the t'stat so maybe no so much a symptom of a cracked head unless the exhaust gas pressure pushed it out of position.

 

[g-man]

Carnage shots:

 

[Seth S]

Great to see what 31’s look like on a lifted truck. Makes me happy on my tire choice in alignment with future mods.

Searchtempest is a great way to search the world of craigslist and often a good way to find engines for cheap.

 

[g-man]

Shmuckster is hooking me up with a head. He's in PA but traveling this way, so he will drop it off when he comes. its off a running 2f and had the right #s on it but has not been checked. He guarantees it. I will have it checked and gone through before install. Thanks to @jcj_78FJ40 for the tip.

 

[Big Timber]

Glad it's going to all work out. I see you too have the little rubber dizzy cover. Was that a standard item or aftermarket? I just hadn't seen one before, or noticed one, until I got mine.

 

[joebattle1]

@g-man great thread... rig is coming along nicely.

I left that hook off when I put my head back in. No issue. I also had the machine shop do the galley plug fix for me.

I’ve found that the best craigslist consolidater app is BRZO. It’s expensive at $10 bucks but it’s pretty sweet.

 

[joebattle1]

@g-man
One more thing...
You may want to consider doing your oil pan gasket while the head is off. Based on the amount of sludge on your head I’m guessing the previous owners went a little long between oil changes. (My head didn’t look nearly that bad) The same sludge is probably sitting in the bottom of your oil pan as well. Your gonna clean those piston heads and put freshy fresh valves and springs in etc... Your not gonna want to put that fresh oil in just to have it go swim with all that bottom sludge. I’d even do the side cover gasket but that does add a ton of work. Something to to think about...

 

[g-man]

@g-man
One more thing...
You may want to consider doing your oil pan gasket while the head is off. Based on the amount of sludge on your head I’m guessing the previous owners went a little long between oil changes. (My head didn’t look nearly that bad) The same sludge is probably sitting in the bottom of your oil pan as well. Your gonna clean those piston heads and put freshy fresh valves and springs in etc... Your not gonna want to put that fresh oil in just to have it go swim with all that bottom sludge. I’d even do the side cover gasket but that does add a ton of work. Something to to think about...

I pulled my pan off not too long ago when I went to re-do the RMS. check out this image of my pick up screen: What the sludge? I did get all the sludge out the bottom of the pan and off the pick up screen.

 

[g-man]

I did pull my lifter panel off not too long ago to fix an oil leak. While off I cleaned the inside of it. The PCV passage was completely blocked.

 

[g-man]

Glad it's going to all work out. I see you too have the little rubber dizzy cover. Was that a standard item or aftermarket? I just hadn't seen one before, or noticed one, until I got mine.

That's a great question. I have no idea. When I went to CMCC last year some of the 60 guys were looking over my truck and they also said the didn't have a dizzy rubber boot.

 

[86aggie]

I bought my 62 new and it came with one. When it was relatively new, it disappeared during a visit to the dealer. When I questioned the service writer, he just shrugged his shoulders. I just bought one from someone on FB. I've got it soaking in 303 for now, hoping to install it in the next month or so.