| PM | Quote | Reply | Full Topic |
Idahome
Joined: Wed May 2nd, 2018
Posts: 2165
Status:
Offline
Reputation: 
Reputation Points: $user_rep
Previous owner doing head gaskets = suspect
Losing coolant = I would plan to do both head gasket and lower intake, and here is why:
Maybe the compression numbers were higher because it has water in the cyl :)
With that coolant loss and no puddles its not the injector, its probably a botched head gasket /LIM gasket job from the first time around or they used cheap parts....
Head gaskets on these engines .............lets just say it needs to be done properly and it doesnt hurt to have gone through this a time or two to know what to expect (School of hard knocks)
You know how many times I have heard "New bolts? oh man I didn't buy new bolts, these ones look okay, back in the 60's my dads uncle did head gaskets on a 49 ford and he didn't use new bolts...... I'm just gonna re use these"
cut corners = revisit
So now what to do? head gaskets, invest a bunch of $$$ into a 200K ohv. If your gonna go in there do you want to do lifters, waterpump, etc etc etc............its starts to add up to around $800-1000 I know this path
Ford $800-1000 I can usually get a low mile ohv or the whole truck around it, although they are getting harder to find. To the point where I am keeping 4.0 cores for rebuild someday
Best bet, if all else is well with the truck, is just stick to basics. Do the head gaskets, bolt, lower intake, upper intake, EGR O ring, and re ring injectors. Put it all back together and see where you are at.....
Never hurts to clean the MAS
but with that coolant loss and no other signs of leaks, its going through cyl 4 (your code and plug tell the rest of the story)
Would not hurt to have Dr. Strange standing by in the shop just in case some multi dimensional magic is needed........
____________________
I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks