1998 Ram with 360. Head gaskets blown based on minor leak testing and confirmed by local repair place who tested for exhaust contaminants in the coolant.

For at least 4 years, I've heard a lot of gurgling in the heater core. I've never had leakage that I could detect, but I have heard these fail.

Biggest thing is that she only has 67000 miles!

So, here's what I'm thinking. Let me know your recommendation.

1. Head gaskets
2. Take heads to machine shop for grind and possibly valve job (how much should that be? It's been a while)
3. Plenum not replaced but since I'm in there, should i just go for it? With these low miles, I would have never expected it!
4. No solid indication that the heater core is shot but ultimately I did lose coolant and did overheat (slowly).
* Water pump replaced recently - but should I get a "high volume" unit?

The leak is slow. However, my oil pressure is slightly higher than usual. Could exhaust gasses be escaping into the oil passages? I have a breather so I'm surprised if that could happen. Seems like it could be something else.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks much!

Matt

 

i'd tear it down and have the heads checked (magnafluxed). don't be surprised if one or both heads are cracked. its a fairly common problem. if they're cracked, you'll need new heads. someone, maybe squirrels, recently replaced his, and bought a new set on ebay, incl valves and springs, and ready to bolt in.

if you're absolutely positively sure the old heads are ok, then simply build it back up. if you're going to keep the truck, then do the hughes plenum, put on a new timing chain, seal, waterpump, hoses, and tune up as you put it back together. no point in bolting old parts back on.

unless you have evidence the heater core is leaking, i'd ignore it for now. its under the dash and not part of a head gasket repair. its more likely that your coolant leak and gurgling is from the head/head gasket, and not the heater core. if you fix the head and still suspect the heater core, you can always bypass it.

 

Use only Felpro gaskets. You will need a top end set and a front cover set.

If you go the machine shop route, make sure they do good work. I've had to take two heads back off because some idiot at the machine shop didn't properly install a valve guide.

It's all a matter of the scope of work you want to do and the money you can spend. Good luck!

 

no heads for me, yet. I have seen several good candidates out there, just don't have the scratch to pull the trigger yet.

 

cometic makes a great gasket, you'll pay triple for it, but you can run boost with them.

 

go with felpro or cosmetic (if your fancy). might as well replace the plenum, timin chain, and full tune up. take the heads to a machine shop, if they check out, might as well have em ported for a little better pick up

 

I bought some heads on ebay for my 360, they were the recast kind that improved on the factory ones by making them thicker in all the critical spots that are likely to fail.

I am not sure if they still sell them on ebay though, and cant remember the name of the company, I will have to look through my reciepts.

I would definitely replace that plenum gasket while you are in there as well.