Headgasket advice...

[ksrunner]

Hey guys, it looks like it's time for a headgasket replacement on my 84 60. The oil has very recently taken on a milkiness that can't be good....at the same time the radiator level has decided to drop significantly.

I caught this pretty quickly, so the truck has never got hot, and I'm thinking that the milky oil's lack of lubricity shouldn't have damaged anything too badly at this point since the truck hasn't really been run. I mean I'd hate to sort this out up top, only to get a knock in the bottom. Right?

The truck still runs really well, and isn't blowing a "white out" from the tailpipe like the last time I was involved in a 2F headgasket incident (my buddy's 40 while drafting big rigs on 71hwy by Carthage).

So, I should be able to replace the headgasket and be back to normal...unless I'm missing something. Thoughts? Anything else I should be paying attention to at this point?

Lastly, my zest for taking on this kind of job myself without heat and shelter is really lacking. Any thoughts on places near Lawrence for Cruiser repair? I have a second car, so quickness isn't that big of a deal, though when it snows like this I sit and curse my Jetta a little. Are there any upcoming Cruiser wrenching weekends in a warm dry place?

TIA!

 

[66fj40x2]

We will set the date for the wrenching weekend at the annual meeting next weekend. I don't know anyone arounf Lawrence to help ya, sorry

 

[ksrunner]

Yeah, so much for driving the truck to the annual meeting. I may have to hit up Mr. JayhawkCruiser to see if he has any local insight, of course, he may just want me to buy his truck!

 

[trainrech]

He'll want you to buy his truck...

I'm not driving either of my fun rigs to the meeting, so you won't be alone in that regard.

We'll try to get a wrenching weekend set up for Emporia within the next couple of months. Hopefully your not pressed to get that taken care of quickly (i.e. daily driver).

 

[ksrunner]

I doubt I'll last a couple of months, and shoot, it wouldn't exactly be fun getting the truck to emporia anyway at this point. I daily drive my Jetta, but I'd rather DD the Cruiser since my commute is only 4 miles each way! My commute is short enough I really ought to get something stupidly impractical to DD just because I can. Man there's a Pig for sale in the classifieds in Alabama that keeps speaking to me!

Well if anyone else thinks of someone near Lawrence, Baldwin, Eudora, Wellsville, Gardner, etc....lemme know!

 

[osagecruiser]

you are welcome to use our shop in osage city...i sure don't know much about head gaskets but matt might....not that i am volunteering him but we have a pretty good space to work....maybe someone else could come give a hand...just a thought

marc

 

[ksrunner]

Thanks Marc! That's a very generous offer. I'm far from an expert on headgaskets. Frankly, the last time I tore into a head(s) was on my 1970 CJ-5 with a 225 Buick...and that was with my Dad never far away going "do this" "don't do that."

I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to get the truck to Osage City though without cooking it. Anyone also have any thoughts on damage done to the bottom end from the running of the motor with the watery oil?

Thanks!

Nick

 

[osagecruiser]

put it on a trailer?....we got one of those also!

marc

 

[eyezlee]

I've never done one marc but I've be happy to practice on someone else's rig I have a 2F FSM and I’ll sleep at the holiday inn express the night before if that will help...

Are you looking for things to do??? Perhaps you forgot about the three rigs lined up shop waiting for some tlc?

 

[osagecruiser]

hey there you are...i thought you moved back to the dakotas!...i knew if i volunteered you for something you would speak up....awful damn cold in that shop right now...headed down this weekend to make some minor repairs to jakes cruiser and clean up before i get back to work on the piggy...need to have it on the road by this summer...feel free to stop by....i like the idea of practicing a head gasket project on someones else's truck!

marc

 

[Degnol]

Nick, be sure to lay a straight edge across both the block and the head(in several directions) to check for true. You don't want to go back and do it again. Also a good time to have the valves ground, too, depending on the overall condition of the motor.
GL

Ed

I also think if change the oil and top off the coolant, you should be able to make it to Osage City

Just saw this in the merchandise section.......

https://forum.ih8mud.com/merchandise-storefront/69055-head-gasket-dvd-done.html

 

[ksrunner]

God I love this community!

Hey Matt! How have you been? Have you made any progress on your 60's rusty areas?
I'll happily put my rig up as a guinea pig.

Ed, I hear what you're saying on warpage. Since it hasn't been hot i'm not too worried, definitely something to check while we're in there though!

Yeah, an oil change and a jug of coolant would probably get it to Osage City....especially since I don't have anything that'll pull a trailer that heavy that far!

That DVD would be a great addition to the collection, right next to Okie Noodlin' and the Duck Commander series and Girls Gone Wild.

 

[osagecruiser]

let us know

marc

 

[kc_chevota]

no to step on marc's toes but if kc's closer iv'e got a 4 day weekend next week fir thru mon

 

[osagecruiser]

and better than a 4 day weekend...you probably have some head gasket experience....help is help...i just wish i had a 4 day weekend!

marc

 

[ksrunner]

Depending on where in KC (i'm in Lawrence), it is probably a little closer than Osage City. However headgasket experience, a willingness to help/teach, and a warm place are greatly appreciated.

A four day weekend?! That would be the 25th-28th? So the Annual Meeting falls in the middle of all that as well right?

What else would I need to acquire besides the headgasket itself? Replacement fluids...oil, antifreeze, RTV? Are there any other gaskets/seal that would be affected? Best source for the required parts in the KC area?

Nick

 

[kc_chevota]

yes i have replaced a few head gaskets, will also need oil and anti-freeze you can get head gasket kits, and a manual, hays is ok fsm is better. as for local parts i get a discount at advance auto will check on aval. oh im at 85th and troost, just across the state line. as for a bed you get a choice of couch or air bed

 

[kc_chevota]

yes this weekend

 

[kc_chevota]

called the auto parts store 85 for the standard kit 121 for the premuim, need 1 day to order, no pre pay needed

 

[eyezlee]

God I love this community!

Hey Matt! How have you been? Have you made any progress on your 60's rusty areas?
I'll happily put my rig up as a guinea pig.

Ed, I hear what you're saying on warpage. Since it hasn't been hot i'm not too worried, definitely something to check while we're in there though!

Yeah, an oil change and a jug of coolant would probably get it to Osage City....especially since I don't have anything that'll pull a trailer that heavy that far!

That DVD would be a great addition to the collection, right next to Okie Noodlin' and the Duck Commander series and Girls Gone Wild.

I'm doing good...not much going on over here...It's been a while, what are you up to? I havn't done any body work on the 60, I'm wait for marc to hone his skills on the jake's 40 before I let him work on mine.;p I've only done a little PM work and it rests in the garage most of the time.