96' taurus, head gasket job, Fix leaky valves or not?

[gilchristkid]

I'm replacing both head gaskets on this vehicle, Took the heads to be milled and (as I feared) the machinist found that 3 intake and 1 exhaust valves are not seating. Now, common mechanical knowledge says that if you fix the valves and make the heads all nice, new, and seating properly that they will blow out your piston rings in a short time (few thousand miles?). The car has about 100,000 miles on it and in talking to the machinist he says that the piston rings should last until 140,000 miles if I were to fix the vavles and run the heads. So, please either correct my thinking on this and/or tell me what the best course of action is, or any alternitives. Thanks.

[Millermagic]

What engine is this? The 3.0Vulcan is very common in junkyards. Seems like you could just yank some heads or the whole engine at a you-pull-it yard and drop it in your car.

What engine?

[jjh1976]

i have done quite a few headgasket jobs and have renewed the heads with no adverse effects on the cars. i would think it would be better on the engine as a whole cause the fuel ratio would be right in the cylinders. 14.7 to 1.
i would fix the heads and at this point hope that u have done regular oil changes. good luck

[Huney1]

"i would fix the heads and at this point hope that u have done regular oil changes." AMEN.
Definetely get a complete valve job and do it right. When they plane the heads make sure he checks them for cracks. We use to call it, "magna-fluxing."

"Now, common mechanical knowledge says that if you fix the valves and make the heads all nice, new, and seating properly that they will blow out your piston rings in a short time (few thousand miles?)." Say what? Whoever told you that knows as much about engines as I know about rocket science because that is hog wash. Piston rings don't, "blow out," they wear out causing blow by which put excess pressure inside the crankcase. Provided it had regular oil and air filter changes and it wasn't hot rodded a lot and didn't run hot often, at 100K miles you're a long way from worn out rings. If you have doubts, after you get the heads back on, have a "compression check" done and it will tell you what condition the rings are in. How do the cylinder walls look? Nice and smooth or have a lot of scratches or some ruts gouged in them?

"The car has about 100,000 miles on it and in talking to the machinist he says that the piston rings should last until 140,000 miles if I were to fix the vavles and run the heads." The machinist is on target. If it had regular maintenance and was driven decently that engine will easy go 150K miles and many go 200K or better with no major repairs inside the engine.

What I'm wondering is why both head gaskets blew in the first place.
Did it run hot often or what?

[jjh1976]

that what i was wondering why the head gasket or gaskets blew

[Huney1]

Number one cause of head gaskets blowing is overheating. If you see it runs hot then stop it right then and there and call a tow truck. Trying to go a few more miles to get home or to a shop can be the difference between letting it cool off with no damage or big damage and costly repairs. http://coolfj40.stores.yahoo.net/mymecsaymyen.html

Take a good look at your water pump and make sure it is doing it's job, replace the thermostat, flush the radiator and heater core and refill with anti freeze and water. OK for the coolant to be murky but not brown or rusty looking. The cooling system is one of the most important components of an engine but the most often neglected and overlooked. She's 12 years old and with 100K on it I'd say it's time to replace the radiator and heater hoses and serpentine belt.

When is the last time the tranny fluid was flushed and treated to a new filter? Ford says every 30K miles but moderate drives can go 40 or 50K. Fluid change is $60. and a flush will cost about $100., whole heck of a lot cheaper than $1500. for a tranny rebuild. Not trying to overwhelm you with expense, but like the man said, you can pay me some now or a lot later.


"Transmission fluid is like hydraulic fluid. It really doesnt wear out but its the tiny particles in your tranny that need cleaned out. Such as small steel fragments and clutch debris. Having a transmission flush with a machine and a correct filter replacement will only help your transmission last longer. Remember its really not the fluid that you need to worry about,its the small debris inside the trans that you want to get rid of. Its kinda like changing your cars oil--Always replace the filter no matter what. Yes,the machine i'm sure your dealer plans on using is expensive. Locally they charge around $150 just to have a tranny flushed. The reason it costs so much is because of the amount of fluid they run through your system to clean it out. I really recommend letting a shop do it if you have never had it done."

[Cowtowntaurus]

Be sure to check that bottom radiator hose. They are made of composite materials and WILL leak at some point, likely at the area where the hose is crimped together.

And since it is low it can cause your heads to completely loose coolant flow.

I have seen these things leak at such a slow rate that the coolant dripping out is almost impossible to see on the pavement. So you might have to get some cardboard, put it under the car to tell for sure.

And these water pumps bearings (and impellers) don't last forever. Loosen the belt and make sure it spins free.

One last thing. Fuel Filter!
I have seen them clog enough to lean the mix and cause overheating.

If the fuel filter is umpteen thounsand miles old, or if the car has been stored any amount of time. Ten bucks for a new one is money very well spent.

P