Hello all,

Need a little help with this. Replacing head gaskets on a 98 3.9L Dakota. Did the suspect side, started it up, engine rattled on the opposite side, took off the other head and found a few pieces of metal ion the rear cylinder. Somehow I guess something got in the intake while doing the job. My bad, I tried to be careful. Anyway, this is where I'm at. The piston is scored on the top, Don't look real bad. Cylinder walls not scored that I can see or feel. Think I have a chance putting it back together? First time this happened to me so, asking for opinions. 275K. A little closer exam tomorrow. Thanks all.

 

Post a pic of the piston in question.

 

Here goes, hope it's clear.

 

That's pretty trashed...... I would be tempted to replace that one........

 

Give in to temptation - replace that piston. That's going to fail along the bottom where it's broken off the top of the ring landing.

That being said, since the engine has to come out anyway, and doing the work needed to replace one piston is going to be more work than dropping in a long block, get a long block. Or, get a good lower mileage guaranteed engine from salvage. If the salvage engine lasts 3 months, it'll last until the end of its expected lifetime. A good truck generally isn't salvaged because of a blown engine, but a good engine goes to salvage because the rest of the truck is gone.

If you're near Tulsa OK I have a 3.9L I just pulled out of my 2003, had 160K miles on it. I'd hate for it to go to the recycling yard. Engine and trans both, 1000 dollars or first, I mean best offer, and I'm a VERY motivated seller.

 

Yes, I agree. I have to put it together, I have all the gaskets. Hopefully It'll run so I can get it to an installer. I'm in Florida and I know shipping isn't cheap but it's a great price so, I'll think about it. Hopefully I'll get it back together soon, have 3 other projects going on. Thanks all for your input on things.

 

Florida? Nah, it would be a deal if you were local to me but with shipping charges you'd spend less buying a local engine.

 

Yeah, think so. I have a local shop not far from me. Thanks though.