Cylinder head question

2

29closedcab

Member
Good morning, yesterday I pulled my head. No broken studs that was a relief. Head came off very easily. Took a really old look at head surface. Looks very nice no rust, burn out marks or gouges. Copper gasket looks very clean. No signs of leaks or lifting. Deck surface of block is really nice. So do I make a trip to have the head decked or can I use some wd40 sandpaper and a 4x3 1/8 wall piece of square tube. Placing paper on tube and slanging lightly.
 
Why did you remove the head to start with? Was there a problem??

I would think before we should give advice, we should know more about the circumstances because you are saying everything looks good.
 
Had a broken water neck. Unbolted nut and the stud came out with it. There were a few head nuts that were incorrect. It was a farmers truck and well from the fixes I have seen so far I wanted to be certain it was a good gasket. Curiosity got the best of me.
 
Since you are still in the "experiment mode", either use a new head gasket (preferred) or spray Copper-Coat gasket sealer onto the gasket and install everything as-is after a thorough cleaning. Later you can disassemble for a proper repair/rebuild if the need is there.
 
I have a new gasket set with copper gasket. There wasn't any sign of seepage with the old one. I couldn't resist though. I did find one valve is different than the others. I ate your advice seriously. It hasn't let e down yet. Thank you
 
I am with BRENTin10-uh-C. The head gasket may have come off easily because they might have just used grease instead of something sticky like Copper Coat or such or it was put on dry.
 
29closedcab said:
I think it was put on dry.
Click to expand...

I agree with V4F comment. Unless you are a good handyman and proficient mechanic/experienced tool operator ....a shop will do the best job in flattening the head surface.
BUT, it sounds as tho you may NOT need such work. From your words, gasket looks good, head came off easily,etc.. Furthermore, from your description of the situation, the engine may not have even been run since the head gasket was installed (i.e.- plugged fuel system).

Ask any engineer type here and you will get the answer that FORD didn't place 'enough' head studs into his invention (for great sealing) ...for the long run, to prevent blown head gaskets. Most certainly this applies if increasing comp ratio,eh !

Point being...I'm personally sick of blown head gaskets and have come to conclusion that the few gasket maker companies....are NOT to blame.
My tip to you, is use copper coat sealant on BOTH sides of that new looking gasket...torque her down correctly and you most likely will never have to worry about head gasket blowing. Took a long time and lots of pondering to convince me...but I'm convinced...old dog using old trick.
Now if I can just find an engineer who can instruct on how I can properly install MORE head studs in an A/B engine :rolleyes:
 
Awww What the hell! Go to a shop and have it cut down a little. I don't mean just resurface it, I mean cut it down .030 or .040 so you can feel a little difference (Not much) But at least the price of a new gasket will be worth it!
Terry
 
I see you're in Covington, Pa. Where's Covington? I'm in Bucks Co. But There's a Machine shop that will cut a head down .030 for $40. Majewsky machine is in Trenton, NJ.Terry
 
I can deck it .060 for 50$ but you would have to ship it so that makes it not any cheaper. You can find better. I would clean the surfaces with thinner and spray the gasket with copper coat and install it. Make sure you face the crimp up so if anything moves and the seam makes a mark it will be on the head not the block.
 
29 CC, I can't find Covington in my Rand-Mcnally, but if your near Scranton, you're up there. The local (here) rebuilder, A and I machine in Souderton. wanted $90 to cut my head down. ($1200 for new mains poured) No way! I got it done for $40 (.030) for the head, $30 for the mainfolds. Hercules welding in Palmyra, NJ poured new mains and Magnafluxed for $700. Majeski Machine is a father and son outfit, he's been in business forever. It's not an automotive machine shop, He used to race or something and he does auto work, He has a Blanchard (Among many other machines) J. Majeski Mach. 988 Spruce st. Trenton, NJ 609-273-0493. Good Guy! I'm Cheap too!
Terry
 
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