I have a 75 mav with a 250. Yesterday it started to act up like it had fouled plugs OK I change them and it got worse. I ended up with a dead battery trying to start it. Well today I jump start it and got it running. As the engine was going I notice coolant was leaking between the head and block under the spark plugs. Another dam gasket gone. This will be the third time I replaced the gasket. I think the heads some how got warped. Is there something I can do that is temporay until I can do a overall. I have another engine a 77 that I'm planning on replace it with, in the next six months. Can I use a thicker head gasket? Any ideas?????
Mike; while you have the head off, take it to a shop and see if it is warped. If so, have them plane the head flat, and it should fix the problem, unless the block has an issue that screws up the gasket. Hope this helps.
Agreed. Surface the head, that may be the problem. Also, make sure you are torqing the bolts evenly (in the correct pattern) and to the correct specs. Are you using new head bolts? If not, try that as well. Good Luck!
while the head is off take a long ruler and hold the edge agaisnt the deck surface and make sure there isnt any gaps on the block...deck warp is not common but it can happen... it should always be checked when the heads are off.....afterall...what use is getting the heads done if the block is the culprit.... good luck
Thanks for the advice. I'm planning on doing it this Saturday. Since this is my daily driver I can'nt afford to be down while I bring the head in to shop. But I will use a straight edge to check the head and block. Worce case I'll pull the head off the 77 250 and put it on. I don't know the condition of it put I can'nt be any worse.
1)first check if the head is warped.Take it to machine shop and have them do it.ALWAYS MACHINE THE HEAD SURFACE WHEN PUTTING ON A NEW GASKET. 2)Use OEM or Better quality gasket.Stay AWAY FROM FEL-PRO AND OTHER AUTOZONE CRAP...USE VICTOR-REINZ AS REPLACEMENT GASKETS,AND NOW WOULD BE A GOOD TIME TO UPGRADE TO COPPER OR STAINLESS STEEL GASKET. 3)Make sure the surface or the block and the head is clean and free of ANY DEBREE WHATSOEVER.MUST BE CLEAN AND SPOTLESS,OR IT WILL LEAK AGAIN. 4)Make sure the block is not warped. 5)Make sure to torque it to the right factory specs as specified in the book,and DO IT IN SEQUENCES OF 10 FT/LBS.This will get the gasket set gradually,and will not crush it in the process. Optional: i found that a light spray of Copper Spray helps seal the gasket good and helps dissipate heat in the future. Do it slowly,do not rush anywhere.
Thanks mavduke1973 I did the job Saturday. I had my son help lift that head off. I done this a few times. I took a brass wire bush and used my drill to clean the head and top the values. Than I clean the block and top off cylinders. I used fel-pro gaskets I thought they were good. I didn't take the head into the shop because that would have been to much down time cause I use the car has a daily driver. I hoping this should last be a while until I can start working on the other 250 I have and just do an engine swap.
That eas a good tip about 30 yr old bolts.They may not give true torqe reading. IMO Fel-Pro gaskets are fine (perma torq blue).
just my i don't recall what series of felpro i used in 302 buildup, but they have held under conditions that i truly expected to blow them. maybe i'm luck
I agree on the Fel-Pro gaskets, 1011-1 is what I use and have had no problems. Use them on stock compression and up to 14 to 1 ratio's. Old bolts are a no-no, unless checked for stretch, proper head and block prep along with "tapping all the holes" is another good idea. Have even used the 1011's over, in some circumstances, and they still held up fine, jmo.
Dave; I agree. A few years ago, I changed the heads on my 302, and one of the old bolts snapped right off, after twisting and scaring me to death! Anyway, I was able to use an extractor and get it out. New bolts...always!
Hmm, wish someone would have let me know about using new bolts when I had the head off ours. I think im going to put new in for the heck of it, where is the best place to buy them? I know Home Depot has a huge selection of bolts and is just up the road. What grade bolts do I need to get? What thread size? 250 I6 engine... We've put close to 200 miles on the Mav in the last 3 days have had no problems so far, but I would rather be safe then sorry.
Jamie; don't get generic bolts. Buy a set of head bolts from Jegs, or from Ford or somewhere like that. I think the Mustang houses have them. They are made for it, where the Home Depot bolts are not.
