yeah... I MAY just go with my stock stuff.... Its a 150 dollar gamble to have to redo all this... But so many folks say the cracks between the valves dont bother nothing..

 

Also figured out what could have been ONE other issue it had..
The T stat takes like 1 minute to open at full boil of water on a stove.
So its bad...
Cause I test every new one I put in and they open very quick in boiling water.

 

The cracks are only going to get bigger.... If you can scrape up the cash to replace the heads, you will be much happier in the long run. Keep in mind, those cracks are leaks.....

 

Where they are cracked I think I am fine... The compression test showed they was good. Amazed this thing ran at all with how loose the bolts were..

I may regret no getting new heads.... But I dont have 600 bucks to put out right now..

Cause the cracks did not cause the head gasket to blow...

 

Loose bolts certainly would though.

Good Luck.

 

Well I got the heads on and all those little **** buttoned up. Nothing real hard about any of this. OTHER than reaching over that truck to reach the engine is tough. And I am 6 foot tall.... Did get in the engine bay and stand on the ground a bunch which nmakes the work easy till you got to get out and get another tool or something.. Needed a helper then...
As I torqued those intake bolts I was really scared they snap.. But they held. I did change the plenum gasket but it was good and had no breaks or leaks.

I did figure out how folks could not tighten them enough.. The washer around the head can drop down some and bind against the pan. You think the bolt is tight but its not really. Had at least 8 of them like that and I had to take off and pound that washer back to where it should be. Cause had I left it as is I am sure vibration would have caused that washer to finally pop up where it should be and the bolt would then walk out. Hell even the damn intake bolts did that... If you not paying attention that could cause a major leak ....

 

^ good info, thanks.

 

Also noticed the belt tensioner was bad.. I could push it over and it stay over... Not sure how a spring can go bad like that. But went to a you pull yard to get one as they are 65 bucks at store. Looked at a lot of them and a bunch in the yard was bad. Found a newer one that someone had just replaced before the truck got sent to yard.

Also had to pick up a evap canister as the bottom part was knocked off my truck... Not sure what all it does, but fixing it right was pretty easy,..
Parts at store would have been 200 bucks +tax... Yard pulls 30 bucks.... I love the you pull yard ..... Had about a 100 dodge V8s in there too....

 

Where you at? They have any good doors for a 98 and up quad cab?

 

PLENTY of those trucks..... May even have your color.... WE dont rust down here..

Plan you a vacation trip to the beach in Gulf Shores Or Orange beach and the You pull it yards In Mobile and Pcola are a short drive.........
Plenty of Yall northerners down here......