i'm debating wether to just strip down the top half of my engine, TB, Intake, valve covers, the works. that way i know its clean and everythings replaced.

PRO'S
I Can change the plenum gasket/plate.
I Can check the valves and make sure they are in good shape.
I Can clean up the Throttlebody and intake to make them nice and clean.
i might even take the head off and change its gasket and make sure it aint cracked.

CONS
I May not have the tools.
I am not good with gaskets.

But i figure, i can do this, then later on do the same to the bottom when i get my new oil pump and such. then save for a stroker! :>

What's your inputs on this? is it worth it? will it make a diffrence?

 

If you are going to go so far as to pull the heads, Replace them. You can get better than stock replacements for right around 300 each. (This is something I really wouldn't mind doing.... but, for me, it's gonna wait till I yank the engine, and rebuild it.)

 

Since its dodge, i want to go with some mopar, Does mopar sell heads for this?

 

The crappy originals are mopar.... they cracked so often in these trucks they actually were on back order from dodge on and off through much of 97 and 98.... you dont want mopar in this case trust me... Any mopar performance heads for this engine would be outrageously priced anyway...

 

I think it's Odessa/Clearwater that runs good deal's on replacement heads. And I remember from a previous thread a while back it's pretty much the same company....

 

ah i see, Well, I'll look into a head just incase. but ill slowly buy my gaskets until i can take a peak at the head, i gotta tare it apart to check it dont i? i figure with the V8's it has to be, isnt like a toyota motor, where i can just look at it. haha

 

It's a mopar magnum engine. You have cracks between the valve seats. Pretty much a sure thing.

 

So i should replace or not even touch it? i'm scared i might remove it, and put a new one, then then new one crack around the seats like you said, or should i just leave the stock one on?

 

If the truck runs well, I'd replace the plenum gasket, run some combustion chamber cleaner through it, clean the throttle body, replace valve cover gaskets if leaking, do regular oil changes, tune up, etc. and run it. I wouldn't mess with the heads unless there's a problem or unless you just want to upgrade. 180k miles here, and if I have a cracked head, I don't know about it. Heck, the heads on mine have outlasted 2 transmissions so far. I think the motor is about the best thing a 2nd gen ram has going for it. It sure aint the trans or dash.

 

Yeah.. my dash looks like i was smuggling coke and the cops busted it in... lol
there's oils around the valve covers, so i assume they are leaking.