96 windstar head gasket

i have lost antifreeze and see none leaking i hav white smoke like steam from exhaust i think it is the head gasket if it is what other items should i have done while doing this repair to save in the future???

Just to add to the question, is there a step by step instruction with pics on how-to change the head gasket??

Thanks,
Anthony

I would definately recommend you pick up a Haynes and even a Chilton manual for your Windstar. They will have thorough procedures for a headgasket job, with pictures. Make sure you get the proper updated gaskets from Ford.
When you get it apart you can check the condition of the heads, valves, carbon buildup ect. when your in there.

Here are a few sites with information.

http://leckemby.net/windstar/windstar01.html

http://www.babcox.com/editorial/ar/ar90134.htm

http://www.supercoupeperformance.com/Head%20Gasket%20Article.htm

the van started fine and ran good all the way to the shop leaving it for repair? dont understand sat it smoked like crazy and now it seems good? could it have been the thermostat???

I have a 96 Winny with a 3.8L that showed similar symptoms a year ago. It was due to a lower intake gasket failure. The lower intake gasket failure is fairly common on 96's and usually is misdiagnosed as a head gasket failure.

In the case of a lower intake gasket failure, you will see the smoke and maybe even rough idle when starting the car just after a period of prolonged sitting (i.e. overnight in the driveway). Once warm, the smoke and rough idle may go away. This is due to the coolant leaking into the combustion chamber overnight. Once the car is warm, the rate of coolant seeping into the chamber is small enough that the performance dropoff may not be noticeable.

In my case, I was not diligent enough in changing my coolant every two years. I learned a lesson the hard way.