Hello, I am new to this, (or any) forum. Since I do not have the cash to shell out to pay someone to work on my truck, my most sensible option is to repair what things I can by myself. I have a Haynes Manual that I have used successfully in the past.
My truck is a 2003 4wd 3.9 dakota with what has been professionally diagnosed as a blown head gasket (my water pump failed in the woods... I had to baby-step out). I have perused the processes and procedures provided in the manual, and I believe that I am up to the task.
If there is ANY guidance or advise that anyone thinks may be of use in this venture to a man of limited mechanical experience , I would be extremely grateful.
I will start this task monday morning.

thanks,
brian

 

I have started. I am having a hell of a time getting the rusted nuts off of the studs on the exhaust manifold. I will leave that till tomorrow. I have cast heads. Do I need to take them to a machine shop? I bought the gasket kit, and I intend to replace the O-rings on the injectors... any advise?

thanks,
brian

 

idk about the other stuff but be careful, you dont want to be drill and taping bolt studs out of that area. its a )*&)&!

 

Thanks for the reply. I can see how that could be hell.

bri

 

Use PBlaster if you can and let it sit, try it, spry more, maybe even heat with a simple propane torch, then spray more and sit. It works wonders if you give it time. Used it on rusty breaklines on a jeep and i didnt snap anything off into any other parts (other than old lines by the hubs). If you REALLY cant get the bolt off and it has a flange on it, you can use a hacksaw blade and cut off part of the flange so the PBlaster can get to the shaft, plus if all else fails you can cut opposite of the side you cut before and use vise grips or channel locks on the flat spots you just cut to get a better "bite".