Right! However, one of my mechanic buddies said if the coolant level is too low. The sending unit isn't in water and it can't give an accurate reading? Kinda makes sense. But I'm with you! I have never seen this truck overheat on the guage and I'm a commercial fisherman in Alaska. So I have a keen sense of smell when it comes to sketchy situations! I would have smelled that truck get n hot! But never did! I still wonder if plug n my block heater in too late. Did any of this damage? It was 6 degrees at the starting of Jan! I plugged the block heater in and it sounded like bacon frying in a pan? When I finally got the truck started it smelled like a chemical fire and that was right before the cylinders filled up and it died! Hasn't ran since!

 

Just called every shop in this town and nobody tests cylinder heads. They just junk em and buy new ones! Almost sounds like the dental program in this town? Don't fill a cavity! Just yank it out! Ughh!

 

I suspect that your gauge lied to you, and the engine did overheat. Badly. That is about the only scenario I can think of that would account for the problems you are seeing.

I am going to guess that buying new heads, and having them shipped to you, is going to be hideously expensive.... Although.... there is a used pair on EBay for 300 bucks, with free shipping..... (little does he know......) According to the ad, the bottom end had issues, but, heads are sold 'as is'..... Remans are out there for around 400 a whack, plus shipping...... might be better deals to be found as well. Think I might seriously consider going that route...... You could take a chance that it was *just* the gaskets, but, do you really wanna do that job twice??

 

Well, that takes me back to my buddy and his D8 cat story. That liquid glass fills any cracks in the block or heads, according to him? So he said change the gaskets. Fire it up. If the oil and water mix again. Drain all the oil out. Drain all the water out. Fill with fresh oil and flush the radiator twice. The fill with just water and dump in liquid glass! I am working with him next week on a job site so I will ask more about it. Maybe he can come over and lead the way? $300 for used heads is cheap! Gotta figure it out before I throw any more money at it!

 

How much would the truck be worth in running condition?

If you don't mind putting it back together, and discovering you still have a problem, your buddies suggestion may work out for you, but, I really don't trust the 'magic fix in a bottle' kinds of things....

 

Roger! I usually don't either! But some bush fixes are better then the alternative! I couldn't give this truck away with $4 a gallon gas prices and it will be cheaper then buying a new truck! Heck, all I gotta do is rebuild the tranny and the front end suspension and I have a new truck! I've already fixed everything else! Love this truck! But, if she's dead? She's dead! Like a hood dog..... He don't get to go to the vet! He just hopes he wakes up every morning!

 

Maybe you should take the boat to the mainland, and get gas..... I got gas today for 2.10 a gallon. Get yourself some good jerry cans, they would pay for themselves fairly quickly I should think.

It's REALLY unfortunate there isn't a machine shop anywhere nearby...... There is the remote possibility that its the cylinder walls that are cracked, and not just a bad gasket...... If I could be sure it was just the gaskets, I would be inclined to get a pair of the reman heads, slap those on, and be good to go for the foreseeable future.

 

Right! Or just scuttle it and move on? The mainland is Canada and gas is more expensive there! It's sold by the litre! Cracked piston walls is nothing I have read in any forums? Not ruling it out. But the cracks around the head bolts could be possible? Bottom line is, 215,000 miles and the bearings just got an acid bath in antifreeze! So, even if all this other **** works. Most likely the bearings will go before the gaskets ever do!

I haven't ever had the oil pan off? Have you? Can you pull it off while it's still in the truck?

 

4wds can take the pan off while it's in the truck. At least the V8s can. I don't see why the V10 couldn't

 

Roger that! Thanks. I haven't paid attention to the crossmembers or any other obstructions because I have never had a reason to pull the pan until now! New heads and a set of bearings might be all this thing needs? Get another 200,000 out of it! Already rebuilt everything but the tranny and front suspension. Gonna need another radiator as well! Anyone know where to get a good one? In other words, ONE THAT ISNT PLASTIC!?