Topic: blown head gasket, what to do

[van]

 After suffering a catastrophic water pump failure (launched the shaft clear of the pump), it appears that my 97 has developed at least a blown head gasket .  Mystery coolant loss, lots of condensation in the tailpipe, ever lowering oil pressure....

Now that the weather is getting warm enough (no garage) to pull it, I presume I should at least get it checked for straightness and cracks, and if ok, new guides, and the valves ground.  Anyone know a decent machine shop in sussex co, nj or orange co, ny?

While I have the head off, I was thinking of additional "options":
1) ports cleaned out, possibly matched
2) 1.6:1 roller-rocker arms
3) some manner of cam (suggestions welcomed)
4) oil pump
5) new rings

Thoughts, comments, suggestions?  145k on the motor, never been apart afaik.

[Jeffy]

After suffering a catastrophic water pump failure (launched the shaft clear of the pump), it appears that my 97 has developed at least a blown head gasket .  Mystery coolant loss, lots of condensation in the tailpipe, ever lowering oil pressure....

Now that the weather is getting warm enough (no garage) to pull it, I presume I should at least get it checked for straightness and cracks, and if ok, new guides, and the valves ground.  Anyone know a decent machine shop in sussex co, nj or orange co, ny?

While I have the head off, I was thinking of additional "options":
1) ports cleaned out, possibly matched
2) 1.6:1 roller-rocker arms
3) some manner of cam (suggestions welcomed)
4) oil pump
5) new rings

Thoughts, comments, suggestions?  145k on the motor, never been apart afaik.

I'd consider a port job since the head.  Also with the head off you can crank the engine by hand and look at each cylinder for wear.  If you have changed the oil regularly you might still be able to see the hone marks in the cylinders. If they're smooth and show lots of wear you might consider a hone or a bore.  Cam's are going to be $$$.  Hesco and Clifford are the only two places to get Cam related stuff.  You can get 1.6 and 1.7:1 roller cams too.  I'm not sure if you can find the Hiflow/high volume oil pumps available anymore.  Mopar Perfromance used to make both types.

[van]

Tx.

Port job it is.
I've been religious about the oil changes, and use synthetic, so I have my fingers crossed. 

Opinions on the hesco rvob cam?

[wrangler387]

There are a few people on the forum that have that cam and seem to like it. Good luck with the rebuild.

[van]

Well, the head is off getting worked on (over).  Port & polish, with the exhaust ports matched.  Cylinder wear was almost non-existant (i guess fresh synthetic every 5k miles actually did something).  Only casualty were the bruises on the back of my arms-I didn't expect the head to come off as easy as it did.

[Jeffy]

Well, the head is off getting worked on (over).  Port & polish, with the exhaust ports matched.  Cylinder wear was almost non-existant (i guess fresh synthetic every 5k miles actually did something).  Only casualty were the bruises on the back of my arms-I didn't expect the head to come off as easy as it did.

Sounds like you had no trouble with the exhaust manifold studs breaking off.  There is a part# for new studs on the FAQ if you need to locate some.  Have you already got a 4.0L TB?  If not it would be a good addition.  Match the intake port to the TB as well.

[supryj4]

I have the rvob cam from hesco and I really like it. I also went with the adjustable roller rokers, double roller timing chain set, adjustable fuel pressure regulator,and the new valve springs for the taller cam.The head needs to be machined to set the springs at the right hight so when I had it at the shop they also smoothed and gasket matched the ports.

[van]

Sounds like you had no trouble with the exhaust manifold studs breaking off.  There is a part# for new studs on the FAQ if you need to locate some.  Have you already got a 4.0L TB?  If not it would be a good addition.  Match the intake port to the TB as well.

No, but I have had headers on for a while, and have burned through 2 sets (one borla one pacesetter), so those fasteners have had a workout.

Yep.  62mm TB is already on there with a hesco spacer.  I'm taking the opportunity to clean up the intake manifold to make sure they match nicely (my first attempt was not as nice as it should have been).

[van]

I have the rvob cam from hesco and I really like it. I also went with the adjustable roller rokers, double roller timing chain set, adjustable fuel pressure regulator,and the new valve springs for the taller cam.The head needs to be machined to set the springs at the right hight so when I had it at the shop they also smoothed and gasket matched the ports.

I thought long and hard about doing the hesco cam at the same time, and wimped out (or cheaped out) so far.

The head isn't back yet, so I still have plenty of time to change my mind.  I brought the gasket and the header over for matching.  The welded flange on the pacesetters I have has a annoying lip which looks/feels like it might interfere with flow a bit, and could use a good cleaning up.

Which roller rockers did you get?  The only ones I'm finding are going to run around $800-850 for a full set.

[Schris1]

Well... what's the verdict?  Is it finished yet?  How does it run?

[van]

Ok.  I wimped out.  No cam.  In retrospect, probably a good idea from a budget perspective.
It fired up first try :).  I performed several progressive warm-ups to check for leaks, etc.
ECM fried before first road test.  Masqueraded as bad crank position sensor.  Very annoying trying to troubleshoot.  First hint was error codes for non-existant sensors.  Expensive.  Replacement ecm has that latest recall service.  Now my cat sets error 72. grrr.  Inspection next July, so a while to fix.

First attemt at RTV valve cover sealing was not as successful as I would have hoped.  Second try worked much better.  Spent a lot of time grinding header to match ported head. Finally figured out the secret arm positions necessary to get all those lower manifold bolts.

In any event, runs great for past 2k.  Seems to have a bit more capability to hold 70+ on hills (anyone from NNJ familiar with the hill around mile marker 52 on 287?). 
Actually, oil pressure post-head seems a bit lower than pre-head, and I can't figure out why, as I don't believe there are any galleys under that much pressure.  Idle goes down to 40.  Just under 60 for 2k-3k rpm.  Could my push rod galleys have been that clogged that cleaning them out would cause this?

That was  with 31's.  33x10.5 bfg ats went on today.  Highway road test tomorrow.  We'll see those squirrels work.

[lanulos89]

where in nj you loctaed im in sloatsburg ny

[van]

vernon twp.  right across from warwick.

[Jeffy]

In any event, runs great for past 2k.  Seems to have a bit more capability to hold 70+ on hills (anyone from NNJ familiar with the hill around mile marker 52 on 287?). 
Actually, oil pressure post-head seems a bit lower than pre-head, and I can't figure out why, as I don't believe there are any galleys under that much pressure.  Idle goes down to 40.  Just under 60 for 2k-3k rpm.  Could my push rod galleys have been that clogged that cleaning them out would cause this?

That was  with 31's.  33x10.5 bfg ats went on today.  Highway road test tomorrow.  We'll see those squirrels work.

Those are normal pressures.