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blown head gasket

3K views 10 replies 8 participants last post by  TOW_HOOK 
#1 ·
Long story short, I was having problems... when I went to change my oil, I had coolant in my oil. So blown head gasket, right? Is this something I could do myself? Also is there a lower and upper head gasket? And should I replace both? Also another option is I found another 99 limited that got rearended. It has 85k on the motor, id get the entire jeep for 1300. My question is what would you guys do? Tackle the head gaskets, with other possible problems. Buy the other wj and swap motors part out the rest and scrap the body...

Im somewhat mechanically inclined but have heard doin the head gaskets can be a pain...
 
#3 ·
there is just one head gasket, between the head and the engine block. I'm assuming you're thinking of a dirtbike engine where the head separates from the cylinder and then the cylinder can separate from the block.

I've never replaced one on a jeep but I would think it would be significantly easier to replace the gasket than to swap engines and have to deal with a parts truck, but that all depends on how much room you have.

Also when you replace the HG make sure to have the head(s) resurfaced at a machine shop.
Is this the 4.7 or the 4L?
 
#4 ·
4.7, I don't know how true this is but someone said that ill have to redo my timing and mess with the cams and a bunch of other crap... and that the exhaust manifold bolts will prolly all break. I guess just trying to figure out how difficult replacing the HG will actually be? My origional motor has 180 k on it so im also afraid I could have other problems due to the bad HG...
 
#5 ·
Do the head gaskets, way easier than an engine. It won't effect the timing if you don't turn the engine over while apart.
I just did a set on my brothers Chevy pu. Wasn't that bad. 2 afternoons.


Wait....... Is this engine overhead cam ? It's still easier than an engine
 
#7 ·
yeah, overhead cams. Head gasket isn't terrible, just time consuming, but you better make sure you don't have a cracked head, 4.7 is almost as prone to it as it is a head gasket.
 
#8 ·
I wouldn't worry too much about the bolts on the exhaust manifolds, you can just hit them with some pb blaster the day before, and then torch them when you take them off. A buddy helped me replace mine when I had a stud/bolt bust off, and the torch heated it right up, and made it super easy to unscrew...

as far a a swap or a HG change, I would lean towards changing the HG, but with all that milage, I mean you have a 100k more than the rear ended one. like said before, depends on how much room you have to work with in your garage or where ever. start with yours, and see if there are any other problems that you uncover once you remove the heads.

while you have it apart can I suggest putting in the H.O. cams (rockers and springs too)....might as well, unless you don't like an extra 20 hp & 20 tq....
 
#9 ·
i just got done replacing my head gasket on my 04 4.7. I did it myself (and the help of my brother) but it was fairly simple to do once you get everything out of the way. I ended up taking off the front bumper, grill, EVERYTHING! and it was very simple to do. 185 for the entire gasket set, 120 to get the heads cleaned, and milled. The Owner before me obviously took them apart and left huge scrape marks in the heads which caused the problem in the first place.
 
#10 ·
I'd try to fix what you have and buy the wrecked jeep and part it out. Milage is just that, yours could be clean and problem free where as the one you found could be neglected and wore out. Does yours seem tired, knocking, smoking?
 
#11 ·
if it's a 4.7 put some time aside, it took me a weekend just to get the heads off. and 2 trys to find the old chains had streched, and the timing was off 1 tooth or less !! total time down was 3 months ! it can be done, know what your getting into. take your time, and have only trusted friends help you. i'm not sure i'd do it again... but it might go faster, now that i have done it 3 times.. lol
 
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