another head question. - Diesel Forum

91 ford · 11-03-2009, 08:05 PM

Allright . I got my heads off my spare motor and took them in to be gone over. One of the heads came back from Mag flux and had a crack betweeen intake and exaust valve. My question is are the heads the same for left and right sides of the engine I recall reading someware that they where interchangable. I am going to pull my heads off the motor in the truck and take them in to find out if i can make a match set. I marked the ones i took off the spare for left and right cause i was not sure. something for every one to look out for is that if the guids are worn that means every thing is worn. the guy that is doing the heads said the valves, guides and seats where wore really bad. the spare engine ran and did not sound to bad either not nearlly as bad as the one in my truck currently. so I am hoping that some one with some grand knowlege out there can tell me if i have a chance in hell of getting at least 2 good heads out of 4 or am i doomed. The truck is just sitting cause I got a couple of other things that need done so this is really no big deal. I am going to put the new heads on the motor in the truck like cdnsarguy had asked why I was not in and older post. I know what I got in the truck now and it does not burn water or oil. just the heads are cooked.

Oh well sory for the book
Thanks
Andy

cdnsarguy · 11-04-2009, 07:33 AM

Both are interchangeable side to side......the only difference would be the overheat sender on the drivers side front and a plug on the pax side rear.

Main thing is do not have the heads shaved, 6 thou warpage over the length is safe.

Per AERA specs:
Stem to guide clearance (intake & exhaust): .0013" - .0055"
Valve height (measured from top of valve to "deck" height)
Intake: .042" - .054" Exhaust: .051" - .063"
Minimum head thickness (from "deck" to valve cover surface): 4.7950"
If you need more let me know.

91 ford · 11-05-2009, 05:28 PM

I just got back from dropping the heads off from the truck and he showed me the crack in the one head. Is there any thing elase i should look for while i have the heads off the motor. I pulled the heads while the motor is in the truck but i am going to pull the motor out of the truck this weekend. There is no way you could posibly torq the heads right while the motor is in the truck so out it comes. From what i could see at 1 am in the morning things did not look to bad but i will be able to check every thing out a little better this weekend when i pull the motor. I did not see any cracks in the pistons or funk in the cylinders

Thanks cdnsarguy for the reasurance that my current motor was the better choice to keep. I also found that the exaust spring was broke in 2 places. on no. 7 cylinder which would explain the lack of compression. The valve guide was also severly worn. I will keep you guys updated on what else i find out. I should no more by monday hopefully

pontoonrob · 11-05-2009, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 91 ford

There is no way you could posibly torq the heads right while the motor is in the truck so out it comes.

really? the ford factory manuel says you can.

---Rob

88beast · 11-05-2009, 09:27 PM

can with a few adapters and a lot of luck lol

LMJD · 11-06-2009, 05:56 AM

Quote:

really? the ford factory manuel says you can.

Right Rob, they can be retorqued in the truck.

cdnsarguy · 11-06-2009, 07:16 AM

Quote:

I also found that the exaust spring was broke in 2 places. on no. 7 cylinder which would explain the lack of compression

Been there done that on my own truck..... you probably had a crackle on hard acceleration from the exhaust too.

91 ford · 11-14-2009, 09:25 AM

well just heard from the shop and they said i got 2 good casting to work from so I should have my heads back this comming week I cant wait they said all the guides will have to be replaced and only a few valves looked to be wiped out but other than that all looks good