Could always have the cl pair checked...
My 99 w a 360 is running like crap. I have a plenum problem for sure, intermittent loss of power when driving. I planned on doing a compression check tho just because. Then I read this thread about bad heads and said oh **** that will be my luck too. I planned on doing compression check to see how 8 cyl was due to fact I've been driving w plenum problem for yrs wondering what it was. I'm going cheap route of washers and new gaskets plus a power steering pump maybe timing chain n sprockets too. I need an exhaust tho as well because NY weather has taken its toll. I'm at 119k mi we'll see whats up this wknd finally gna be nice out.

 

Based on the link, they were $359 each. If he will sell for $200, is he talking one or both?

 

im beginning to wonder at this point if theres anything stock on these trucks that isnt prone to failure...

 

sounds like both since they are listed as a pair...

 

Passenger side interior air vent.

 

The radiator caps are pretty reliable.

There's not much on vehicles of this age that can't be expected to let go some time soon. It's just entropy at work, nothing to worry about.

 

Well I have the heads off. I couldn't tell if the head gaskets were bad or leaked but a friend of mine who does works on cars did have a look at the motor before I got the heads off and say he thinks it will be the gaskets from what he looked at as well the oil. I found a place here that will check them for $25.00 and $50 for checking everything. He said they ok, he will re work them for a total of $200 bucks. thats with everything from the checking to re work. He said as I told him about the heads in Alabama that he can do it for the same price and I would know all that be put into it. So if this works out for me and I dont need them. let me know if you do and I will pass forward his name and number to contact him. crossing fingers. I have some pictures. beware, they look nasty.lol.

I found Im sure is one of the leaks too.



























The head with the piece of blue tape the driver side which had same compression all the way across. the other head is my passenger side that had the #8 cylinder that was only 50 and the rest was 120. I hope these pictures help out you guys. As you can see the number #8 had a tiny bit of build up and was a little blacker but it was very thin and cleaned right up. I'm thinking that was from it not firing correctly. all my plugs were like normal except that one but it was obvious it wasn't firing correctly. My friend I told you about rebuilds his own motors and machines so he got to look at it.

I spoke with the guy and he said he bought the heads and replaced the one piston ( used) that had the low compression and ran it down the road and did a compression check and it was still low. he thought maybe the wall was scored so he just put another motor in it.

From what it reads. yes for both. he had them a couple times on Craigslist with no bites and he hates that he loosing money but he doesn't need them anymore. Thats what I was told GDStock.

 

I am trying to keep this thread as fresh as possible as I go through my journey of repairing my Dodge truck. I also hope this will help others who may go through such problems. I am Thankful that we have people willing to lend a helping hand and knowledge to fixed such a problem. I am taking my heads in today to see where I am at as well as there condition with fingers crossed on such a shoe string budget. I also figured the pictures should help in many areas as well. Be careful with vacuum lines for I broke one and have to find its location of travel to repair. they are so thin and plastic. bad idea I feel. Dodge as any manufacture has bad ideas on products. Its been a good ruck to me so that's why I dont mind putting money into it. I figure if I can get the millage out if the motor, then I will invest into a rebuilt motor when its time since I am going to pass it down to my daughter. right now I am trying to get it to the millage that I was told which would be at least 250,000 out of this motor. This is a great site and it has helped me as well as other. I am very Thankful for all of your advise and opinions.

 

If it makes you feel better i did compression check on my 99 360 and couldn't get a reading because something leaks, i'm guessing heads thanks to this thread, but the gauge did jump to 120 during cranking... i have 119k or so... oh and my plugs were white.
This sucks!

 

Mine were white but looking that the plugs only one showed that it wasnt firing correctly. That was my #8 cylinder. we checked the stick and the oil in the pan looks OK. I am going to clean it and drop that pan to blow compressed through it to clear any passages. I'm just trying to make sure that I dont have to do it twice because I missed anything. Like I said earlier in the post. my truck actually was running smooth despite some of the signs. The only reason some things were caught was due to the water loss. it didnt smoke or anything like that. Heck I didn't notice the piston wasn't firing correctly. crazy isn't it? lol If this thread help others. Great. this forum is kick butt. Love it.