Changing head gasket on 4.6 - Northern California Ford Owners

This is topic Changing head gasket on 4.6 in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners .

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Posted by 69DodgeCharger (Member # 3231) on :

Hi, I am looking at a supercharged mustang, and the only flaw about the car is one of the head gaskets has a slight leak from the car overheating once. I have been told that the car is fine to drive, but it does need replaceing. How hard is it to replace the head gasket on a 4.6? I have only worked on big block dodge, and old small block chevys and fords, never a modular 4.6. How long do you think it would take?
Thanks
Ryan

Posted by 4.6 EATIN GM'S (Member # 1633) on :

all i got to say is have fun [patriot]

Posted by st5150 (Member # 51) on :

I'd seriously consider passing up this car and finding another car. It sounds like you'll be buying a lot of hassles.... smog, leaky head gasket, and other surprises you don't know about yet...

Posted by 69DodgeCharger (Member # 3231) on :

ya, you kinda have a point, i was just figuring that I could save some money this way, because i dont mind replacing head gaskets and such. Oh well I'll have to think about it.

Posted by Red97SVT (Member # 2811) on :

You didn't say whether it is a GT or Cobra.

On a Cobra I would say forget it. They say it can be done but even changing the valve cover o-ring is a major pain. It is easier to "drop" the motor. I say drop because it is easier to get it out from the bottom than the top.

On a GT not sure but it can be a bitch if you were to drop the cam chain off the crank. Probably still easier to drop the motor.

Posted by 69DodgeCharger (Member # 3231) on :

its a GT

Posted by 91 5.0 (Member # 1527) on :

Dont let these guys change your mind Ryan, ill help you if I have to. Ive never done it before, but im sure I can learn. [patriot]

Posted by 4.6 EATIN GM'S (Member # 1633) on :

if it was me i would pull the motor and while it was out and u were fixing the head gasket i woul p/p the heads and do some custom grind blower cams.trust me ive been down this road before with my 4.6 gt.while its out u might as well do it, but then again this is just my .02 cents.

and if u guys need any input or help just give me a pm i live in pittsburg

Posted by 69DodgeCharger (Member # 3231) on :

I am unsure about the heads being ported, but the motor allready has custom grind blower cams and such

Posted by 4.6 EATIN GM'S (Member # 1633) on :

oh ok but what im sayin is while the heads r off u might ass well [Wink]

Posted by 99gt-UJSTLST (Member # 584) on :

its not that hard to change the gasket

but you may have more problems then just a leaking head gasket

Posted by 69DodgeCharger (Member # 3231) on :

thats what I was thinking, what other problems could it be? I was thinking that it may be OK because it hapend when the car overheated once.

Posted by Red97SVT (Member # 2811) on :

If you decide to do this, make sure you get new head bolts. They are not reuseable.

Also make sure you torque them down correctly or you will just blow another gasket.

While the head is off, take it to a machine shop and have them check the surface to make sure no material was lost due to the blown gasket. If it needs to be resurfaced, it isn't good for much more than beer cans as this will change the cam relationship with the head and affect cam timing.

Good luck!

Posted by 99gt-UJSTLST (Member # 584) on :

quote:
Originally posted by 69DodgeCharger:
thats what I was thinking, what other problems could it be? I was thinking that it may be OK because it hapend when the car overheated once.

well hhe could of also cracked the head,ring or piston, but you wont now till its apart

Posted by 69DodgeCharger (Member # 3231) on :

i dont think it is the ring or piston, he said it still runs fine, just leaks a little from the head gasket (leaking what i dont exactly know) but he said his machanic said its the head gasket.

Posted by HungryHippo (Member # 537) on :

i wouldnt buy it if they are driving around with a blown headgasket. there could be water in the oil... toasted bearings perhaps? [Eek!]

Posted by 69DodgeCharger (Member # 3231) on :

hes not driving now that he knows that it leaks, but he just said it still runs fine (im going to trailer it home and rip it apart ASAP) if I decide to by it

Posted by ihatethesesns (Member # 684) on :

I think what people are trying to tell you is runs ok and blown head gasket don't go together. Sounds like he beat on the car and is sick of dropping cash into the car. If your looking for a project that may turn into a money pit then go for it.

Posted by 69DodgeCharger (Member # 3231) on :

allright I just talked to the guy and he said that the shop that built it, did a leak down test and they found that the head gasket has a slight leak witch makes exaust gas to go to the radiator and makes the car overheat. He said that there is no water in the oil or anything like that.

Posted by RiddlerGT (Member # 113) on :

your crazy to be buying a motor with a blown headgasket your basicly buying someone elses problem sorry bro but its the facts!

Posted by 69DodgeCharger (Member # 3231) on :

ya i was kinda thinking the same thing, the only thing that makes me want to buy it is the amount of mods it has done, and how much of a beast the thing would be when the head gasket was fixed.

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