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centermass556
Senior MemberPosts: 3,534 Senior Member
Changing a head Gasket...
centermass556
Senior MemberPosts: 3,534 Senior Member
Spent this weekend changing out a Head Gasket in the Explorer. I was surprised at shape of the upper and lower. Not to bad for an older engine. The gasket wasn't broken, just completely worn out. But, The valve covers and manifold gaskets were almost non-existent. There was no trace of gasket between the throttle body and Intake manifold...
Learned some valuable lessons.
But one the most important, Make sure you reconnect everything...Every last one of the damn cannon plugs has a purpose...even that little cap plug that goes to the Crank sensor...Don't forget that SOB when you still have Power Steering pump off.
Another thing, a power steering pump still has fluid in it even after you think it is drained...and it will pour all over the floor while you are removing it from the bracket, making everything in between slick as snot.
And one final piece...Sometimes a hammer is okay.
Learned some valuable lessons.
But one the most important, Make sure you reconnect everything...Every last one of the damn cannon plugs has a purpose...even that little cap plug that goes to the Crank sensor...Don't forget that SOB when you still have Power Steering pump off.
Another thing, a power steering pump still has fluid in it even after you think it is drained...and it will pour all over the floor while you are removing it from the bracket, making everything in between slick as snot.
And one final piece...Sometimes a hammer is okay.
"To have really lived, you must have almost died. To those who have fought for it, freedom has a flavor the protected will never know."
Replies
Nuff said!
Jerry
I pulled the parking brake on the other nite (for the first time since we bought it.) When I released it, they were frozen on. Pulled it all apart, cleaned, filed, wire wheeled, greased, and bought new shoes, pads and rotors. (Made another trip to the parts store for rear axle seals since the cups on the old one were awful rusty)
Turns out the brake lever is self adjusting. It takes up the slack in the cable like a winch. Well with all new parts back in, I needed that slack in the cable back. Couldn't figure it out how to release the tension. Pulled on the lever with a bit of oomph and the coil spring in it broke...... :bang: New one is <$50 so not to bad of a up.....
Percussive Engineering definitely has its place. :tooth:
Paul
At one point, if I could have lit the truck on fire and pushed it out of the Hobby shop bay on flames...I would have..