Hey guys. haven't posted on here in a while. So recently I went to get my 98 1500 5.2L auto smogged and the check engine light came on during the inspection, which of course mean an automatic fail. Now the check engine light has been going on and off for a while now, always the same code. misfire detected in cylinder number 4. this time it threw that code as well as a misfire in cylinder 6 and a random misfire code, and another one that turns out to be a bad governor pressure sensor and governor pressure solenoid in the transmission. Naturally the warranty on my rebuilt tranny expired last week. Now I'm pretty confident I can fix that myself if i can find a source for the parts.

the other codes are my bigger problem. I took the Dodge to a buddy of mine who is a mechanic because I trust him and i know he won't screw me over. Apparently the number 4 cylinder is running a compression of about 60 psi which im told is way low. my buddy says basically the truck needs a valve job. which would be about 1600 bucks for his shop to do. He does however believe I am capable of doing this myself as I am pretty mechanically inclined. However, I've never really done engine work and I fully realize doing this involves tearing apart the entire top end.

So I'm looking at a few options and would like some input.
option 1: pay the 1600 and let my buddy do it
option 2: tear the top end apart and just replace the valves, assuming I can find a source for them. (anyone got any links)
option 3: new cylinder heads, completely assembled. just bolt em on. best place for these and at the best price?

I kind of have to go inexspensive on this as I've been out of work now for the last 5 months, though thankfully just got a call today with a job offer finally, but i need my truck up and running soon. so what do you guys think? which route should I take? can a cylinder head swap be done in a day?

 

Kinda hard to say without knowing your abilities and what tools you have. The job itself isn't real difficult, but it certainly isn't for a beginner mechanic. There's a lot to do just to get the head off and not having done one before could lead to mistakes. Also, it isn't as simple as getting the head off and replacing a valve. You'd be better off getting a reconditioned head and swapping it out. Rebuilding a head is not something the average person can do. It involves machining and setting things to close tolerances, not to mention, specialized tools. Putting the head and intake manifold back on requires a torque wrench and the knowledge on how to use it. And at any point in the reassembly there is potential for a mistake that causes a leak that will require you to tera it back down and fix it. That means a waste of gaskets and having to buy new ones.

I'd say spend the money and let your friend do it, especially if he'll warranty the repair for some period of time.

 

don't be shocked to find out that at least one head is cracked, and will need to be replaced. since these heads tend to crack, if it was me, once i had them off, i'd just replace them both. new and complete, they'll run 400-500+ each on ebay. if you've never fixed your plenum, then do it too. with gaskets, there's about $1000 in parts. another $400-500-600 for labor.

the transmission is another concern. if you're lucky, itll only be a few hundred more.

are you sure you want to sink that much money in it.

 

I am definitely mechanically competent. theres not much I haven't done mechanically. I figure if I can do a locker and ring and pinion install, I should be able to handle swapping a pair of cylinder heads. I also have a pretty damn well stocked garage. basics to advanced (including welder, plasma cutter, etc) I know and realize that replacing the valves requires specialty tools and its involved with tight tolerances. thats why I am leaning towards just getting new heads all set up. I'm looking at these
http://www.acheinc.com/productdetail.php?id=111

or these
http://www.kingcylinderheads.com/Chr...ad-K180CG.html

I like the fact that the second one is available with the gasket set, but i might be able to get it cheaper elsewhere. does anyone have experience with either of these? I know I have heard of Alabama Cylinder Head before, thinking on the powerblock. and yes I do want to put the money into it. I just finished paying the thing off

 

$1600!!! thats crazy........i got BOTH of my heads checked for cracks, valve job and resurfaced + some for right under $200....no valves were replaced

 

if the old heads are not cracked and not warped and rebuildable, then the head work at a machine shop will not be a huge amount.

but, based on his low compresssion, it could be a bad valve, or could be a head gasket, or rings, or could be a cracked head.

what i'm cautioning you about - is be careful about entering into agreement for a shop, where your thinking it going to be a valve lap and gaskets for $500-800, and then you get the dreaded call - hey we've got it all tore down, and we've got some bad news. the heads are cracked and now its going to cost $2000.

just for comparison, here's a new pair for about $550. if you do replace them, don't get USED oem castings. get the NEW thicker castings.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-5...Q5fAccessories