Blown Head Gaskets Questions

[ipeefreely]

Hi guys.
I blew my head gaskets on Tuesday@114,...km, it happen close to my house so I got home without any drama. But I am concerned that I may need to redo the bottom end. I checked my oil and from what I could see on the dip stick there was no coolant on it. When they blew there was not a lot of white smoke out the tail pipes, the coolant was bubbling in the tank.

I've been waiting for the form to come up so I could use the search function. I read in a post (I believe it was from SeanMatteson) that you should drain out the oil, coolant and replace it and the filter as soon as possible. Idle the engine and flush again. Should I be worried how much coolant is possibly in the cylinders and if this could hydro lock (I think that’s what its called) and cause more damage by starting the car?

This may be a stupid question but, after I draining the coolant should I fill it again like the oil?

I am going to go get some oil and other supplies tomorrow morning and take care of this before I start looking for parts and start working on the gaskets. I hope leaving the car like this has not created any damage to the bottom end.

Sorry for the long post and
Thanks in advance for any replies and or suggestions.

Jay

[Jason Wild]

Jay,
The best thing you can do first is drain the oil so you get any coolant out. As well it was a good idea what you drained the coolant allready.

[Peterdroy66]

If you can turn the engine over slowly with a socket on the crank pulley, you can make sure it is not in danger of hydro lock - just make sure you go around enough that all cylinders push out any coolant which might be in them.
If you are only running for 30 seconds to get oil into the bearings, you can do without more coolant , make sure the cooling system does not build any pressure - ie cap OFF.
My car ran for probably 45 to 60 seconds when mine blew on 427, I did not do the immediate oil change, and all was and remains good.
114 is pretty low for HG's, when you do the work, I would recommend that you get the injectors cleaned, I did. My failure might have been brought on by dirty injectors, poor 02 sensor which I found 2months later doing emissions, combined with reg gas at the time.
PR

[ipeefreely]

Thanks for the replies!

I drained the oil and the coolant. My oil had no coolant in it so I am a happy guy. I am in the progress of getting all the parts I need figured out. I am thinking about using the Felpro gaskets Kit and ARP studs. I'm going to put in new O2 sensors; does any one have the part # for them and where I can cheaply?

When I doing the head gaskets I figured I may as well do some preventative maintenance so I was thinking about changing out the water pump, putting in a new thermostat, radiator cap, changing the spark plugs, PVC valve, motor mounts and new gaskets for my leaky valve covers. Does any one have any other suggestions of anything else I should do at the same time?

Thanks,

Jay

[jamesgangel]

motorcraft part number: dy-649

I am pretty sure thats it. I did a search at motorcraft.com.

[Jason Wild]

Go with the ford ones the after market ones dont last.

[Shoe]

I would say to replace your heater hoses that are on top of your valve covers,cause when the motor is running you can't hardly see them,good to do when your all apart,I think you have to buy them seperately there is 4 all together

[MercsSC]

I was ..when I did my HGs...you ask about flushing the coolant after it's back together ...YES! ..I didn't flush mine after...but I had a intake gasket leak...pulled the intake off ..and to my surprise ...there was abuild up of grey slimey goo... a tea spoon worth ..in the back waterjacket on the heads .. both sides ...that was from the stock head gaskets material [used fel pro gasket ..when I put it back together ..so I know it wasn't from them]...it was all stuck together in the heads...and sure it would cause problems down the road... as it moved around ...dave

[ipeefreely]

Thanks guys for breathing new life into my old tread I have a few more questions.

As for the oxygen sensors does anyone know the Napa part #s?

Also what size wrench I need to take the old ones off and put new ones in (i don't have a wrench big enough and have to go buy one)?

Also I post in the nontech section about torque wenches so if any of you have any input that would be appreciated.

Thanks for your time,

Jay