Head gasket replacement- 304

[Wrangled13]

So I have done about everything I can think of without replacing the head gasket. I am getting heavy smoke at operating temperature out the tailpipe, smells like coolant, feels like coolant on the hand. Cylinder 5 has a clean spark plug, all others filthy so I know where it is. I tried head gasket repair in an attempt to not have to remove heads and spend the money, but guess I have to.

Questions: As I have never done head gaskets on a AMC 304 , it there anything i need to pay special attention to?

head gasket to use?
New head bolts
valve cover gaskets
Change water pump?
Take and get machined/valve job
Is it possible to do new rings at this point? Worth it?
anything else i should do in the heads while they are off?

I know I am probably missing some things, but I just don't know this engine well enough (yet) to be comfortable and know what I need to order/do to make sure I dont have to take it all back apart because I missed something stupid.

Any info is appreciated as I plan on taking everything apart tonight and having it worked while I am in Florida all next week so I can put it back together when I get home.

Thanks in advance (sorry if this should be common knowledge)

 

[Wrangled13]

Also, maybe its just my google-foo being weak today, but I cannot find anywhere for new cylinder head bolts. Am I to assume they are just regular grade 5 or 8 bolts from your local store?

 

[thiswontbetooexpensive]

Also, maybe its just my google-foo being weak today, but I cannot find anywhere for new cylinder head bolts. Am I to assume they are just regular grade 5 or 8 bolts from your local store?

Grade 8 un-plated will be what you need for this. Take the old ones with you to match the new ones up with exactly.

 

[Wrangled13]

Grade 8 un-plated will be what you need for this. Take the old ones with you to match the new ones up with exactly.

Thats what I was assuming since I couldn't find any.

 

[Petescj]

Take some time and look around this site.

Bulltear Pro-Parts Forum

 

[mtnwhlr]

You will need to find out why it blew a head gasket they don't just go out. You could have warped head or block or a cracked head. And if you are getting coolant into the motor it will wipe out the bearings but it sounds like it is going out the tailpipe.

 

[Wrangled13]

You will need to find out why it blew a head gasket they don't just go out. You could have warped head or block or a cracked head. And if you are getting coolant into the motor it will wipe out the bearings but it sounds like it is going out the tailpipe.

It sat for over 6 years without being ran so I assume some of it was poor storage. I havent gotten the heads off yet, but will tonight and may find that its worse than I think. Not sure if any is getting into the motor, however the oil is "clean" (no coolant or fuel) so I am hoping that its not too bad, but always expect the worst. had a few hours of trying to get bolts cut and heated and out. Had to bust out the welder to get one out by welding another bolt to it.

I do have 2 rocker arms that are neither touching the spring nor valve, so this should get fun.

 

[mtnwhlr]

I wish you luck with it hope it is ok.

 

[Wrangled13]

I will update this afternoon

 

[Jimbos76cj]

I would reuse the stock bolts before I bought grade 8 bolts to install.

you can also have a cracked head tahts leaking coolant into your cylinders.

Have the heads checked really well and a valve job completed if your gonna have em off. you may have a few collapsed lifters if the push rod is not making contact with the rocker arm.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Oh I forgot.


KCCO!!!

 

[Wrangled13]

I would reuse the stock bolts before I bought grade 8 bolts to install.

you can also have a cracked head tahts leaking coolant into your cylinders.

Have the heads checked really well and a valve job completed if your gonna have em off. you may have a few collapsed lifters if the push rod is not making contact with the rocker arm.

Bringing them in tomorrow morning to have them magnafluxed and checked out. Guy comes highly recommended so we shall see. He said it shouldn't cost much at all (relative statement)

 

[tarry99]

Also, maybe its just my google-foo being weak today, but I cannot find anywhere for new cylinder head bolts. Am I to assume they are just regular grade 5 or 8 bolts from your local store?

THe Cylinder head bolts are made especially for the heads...........look at the shoulder ...........No you cannot get them at a hardware store........ Summit,Jegs, and others on the internet sell complete sets.....I'm not sure why you had so much of a problem getting them off........that in itself is unusual.

 

[mtnwhlr]

And I would be careful putting new rebuilt heads on a old motor the rings will not be able to handle the added compression.

 

[Wrangled13]

Update: filth



Sent from my probably outdated electronic device, more than likely tracked by our government.

 

[mtnwhlr]

That looks like full rebuild time. Sorry

 

[Wrangled13]

That looks like full rebuild time. Sorry

Yep. Need pulley pulley to get crank pulley off without breaking anything. Water pump off. Pan coming off now.


Sent from my probably outdated electronic device, more than likely tracked by our government.

 

[Wrangled13]

Oh I forgot.


KCCO!!!

Good man

 

[Wrangled13]

Well, heads and intake are at machine shop. Need to find a hoist to get the block out when I get back from Florida. Project on hold for now.

 

[Kilo19]

there's just a little bit of oil build up there