Looks like head gasket time.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

MT-PTK

MT-PTK

Joined
Jul 10, 2007
Threads
95
Messages
676
Location
Washington State
Website
www.youtube.com
I noticed that over the course of two days my DD rig gradually went from running like a champ to running like a chump. I knew I was in trouble when it started bogging down taking off in first gear or trying to give her some gas on inclines. Looks like the head gasket let go. It's looking like the gasket blew between two adjacent cylinders (loss of comrpession in both cylinders). Funky smell and some smoke out the tail pipe.

Can any one who has experienced this give me a ball park on time and possible cost to fix? I know a mechanic who I think could do it. I have some mechanical ability but I'm not sure this is something I want to tackle myself. For the head gasket and exhaust manifold gasket kits and labor (saying about eight hours) this mechanic is giving me a price of just over $800, not including fluids and machine shop costs for checking the head. Is that a fair price for what needs to be done?

Thanks!
William
 
William, depending on how much down time you can deal with I say do it yourself. I rebuilt a 2F and was suprised how easy it was. Now if it will only run..... ;p

If you need the engine FSM I can loan it to you. Pull it apart, send the head out and slap it back on. They guy charged me about $170 to do the head.
 
Leaping Deer said:
William, depending on how much down time you can deal with I say do it yourself. I rebuilt a 2F and was suprised how easy it was. Now if it will only run..... ;p

If you need the engine FSM I can loan it to you. Pull it apart, send the head out and slap it back on. They guy charged me about $170 to do the head.
Click to expand...



Hi Jason,
I currently find myself with a bunch of free time since the company I worked for in Pawtucket unexpectedly closed their doors after 60+ years in business. :bang:

Believe me the thought has crossed my mind since the last thing I need right now is an expense like this. I'm not so worried about tearing it down, it's just getting everything back together and working correctly is what worries me.:o I have the 81 - 87 2F Engine Repair manual that I just pulled out and I'm looking at. Honestly, I'm torn. I may just need to knuckle up and try it.





.
 
x2... really pretty straight forward. I've used Simplex Machine shop in Providence a few times and been happy. I wouldn't call them cheap but they do a good job. Could knock that $800 down to $100 plus your labor and the shop cost.
 
vfrer said:
x2... really pretty straight forward. I've used Simplex Machine shop in Providence a few times and been happy. I wouldn't call them cheap but they do a good job. Could knock that $800 down to $100 plus your labor and the shop cost.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the Simplex tip! It's good to know who has a good track record.



William
 
Make sure you have yourself a good torque wrench and have at it. If you need the tap to chase the head bolts I have one of those too. Its really not that hard.

Sorry to hear about your job situation. I hate this economy.
 
Leaping Deer said:
Make sure you have yourself a good torque wrench and have at it. If you need the tap to chase the head bolts I have one of those too. Its really not that hard.

Sorry to hear about your job situation. I hate this economy.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Yeah, we all knew things were tough but just didn't know it was that bad until the owner called a meeting one hour before closing time and said "we are closing the doors for good at the end of the day".

Thank you for offering to let my barrow some of your tools Jason, I really appreciate it.


William
 
William,

My tools are available too if you need something. I also know the owner of a machine shop in New Haven that does great work and gives me a big break on $$$. I can run it down and back on my commute. I havent done a hg on a 2f but if you need a second pair of hands or eyes, you know the number.

Mike
 
I have a head you can have if you need it and the remnants of a felpro head set for a 1985 60 series i would sell for real cheap. The head is unknown, but the gaskets are fine. I didn't need them for a 2fe build. I have all the manifold gaskets, egr stuff and water neck. You would need a head gasket and a valvecover gasket and be all set. PM me if you want. I got the engine from Leaping Deer, so he may know the history of the head.

I have had mixed dealings with Simplex. Not the cheapest but they have a guy there (Steve?) Who knows 2fs pretty well. I had an major issue 1 time but in the end they stepped up and made it right. Overall the quality of their work is fantastic.

Stay away from F&H machine in Coventry. I learned my lesson, twice.
 
Grab a Craftsman 1/2" drive torque wrench from your local Sears. Good quality and always on sale.

Also - a little secret: Fel-pro 2F complete engine and head gasket kits are dirt cheap at Autozone. They only charge $89 for a complete engine kit. If you order the complete engine kit you may have to order one for a '70's vintage engine. The only difference is in the valve stem seals.
 
Wow! I wish I would have checked back after I dived in. Thank you very much for all your offers!! Great buch of folks here!!

Discovered that the valves had been shimmed from previous work. cleaned up the head, new valves, drilled and tapped the galley plug and did it right, removed a bunch of un-needed vac lines, and put some autometer gauges I had been wanting to put in as well. She's purring like a kitten right now.



W.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom