Another question about Removing Head Gaskets

[jfrank133]

When i took out the heads i dispose the pistions, I found atifreeze in the pinstons holes is this normal when removing the heads, please let me know thanks.

[patgizz]

yeah its normal from breaking the seal the head gaskets make.

[MylilBowTie]

Could also be cracked head or failed headgasket. Before you clean up the block or head see if you can see any thin line spots where the gasket and the would be where the gasket was leaking. To check the cylinder head you will need to buy a kit or have a machine shop check them. It will cost less if you take it apart. I think you may need new valve guides depending on how old or used they are. The machine shop will hot tank the heads and check for cracks for about 40.00 around here.

It is normal for a little bit to come out of the cylinder head when removing it. But there shouldnt have been that much if any if the coolent was drained well.

[jfrank133]

Ok, Since Its My First Time Doing This A Rookie And All, Then I Must Clean That Dry Correct.

[MylilBowTie]

If you have a shop vac that would work a little better. If not adsorbent paper towels will get it up. The little bit of residual coolant wont bother anything.

Have you checked your oil lately? What's it look like and does it have any smell?

[jfrank133]

I Have Already Taken The Heads Off, But When I Did There Was Antifreez On Top Of The Pistions, However It Could Of Happend When I Pulled It Out, When Its A Crack What Do I Check, Do I Check The Heads Or Do I Check Where The Area Where The Pistons Are Located.

[MylilBowTie]

You will want to check both its usually on the thin spots were the cylinders meet. It could be that there is nothing wrong with it but it never hurts to check it. I wouldn't be all that fun to get all the parts and everything installed and then still have a problem.

So what are you doing? What brought on removing the cylinder heads?

[jfrank133]

In A Cold Morning Day, As I Left My Home My Truck Started To Smoke Like There Was No Tomorrow, It Was A White Smoke And Smelled Like Antifreeze.

[MylilBowTie]

That would be a pretty good reason then. Have you checked your oil?

[bigblock73]

It is normal to see anti-freeze in the cylinder bores after removing the head(s)...clean it up real good before putting the head(s) back on and you will be good to go.

[weekender]

Don't sell yourself short, remove the heads and take them to a good shop and have them rebuilt, new guids,seals, valve job, have the heads magnafluxed and checked for worpage, and cracks. Clean out all the cylinders, put a little film of oil on the walls then replace the heads. Do it right, do it once. Oh, check push rods, clean them, blow through them, make sure there straight. I'm guessing this is a chevy motor, when adjusting down the push rods turn them down about 6 or 7 threads then the engine will start ok, then adjust rockers.

[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by weekender

Don't sell yourself short, remove the heads and take them to a good shop and have them rebuilt, new guids,seals, valve job, have the heads magnafluxed and checked for worpage, and cracks. Clean out all the cylinders, put a little film of oil on the walls then replace the heads. Do it right, do it once. Oh, check push rods, clean them, blow through them, make sure there straight. I'm guessing this is a chevy motor, when adjusting down the push rods turn them down about 6 or 7 threads then the engine will start ok, then adjust rockers.

That is good advice, but it could also be overkill depending on what he is doing. Is he pulling the heads because of a leaking head gasket? Is he replacing the heads with new heads? If the truck ran just fine and you hadn't experienced any problems....then I wouldn't worry one bit about them.

[jfrank133]

Yes, Truck Was Working Just Fine, I Had The Engine Rebuilt In 87, Im Sure It Was Just The Head Gasket. Thanks For All The Information. However I Will Double Check Everything Yall Have Said. Thanks Again.