Head gasket

I'm not looking for a how-to, I know my way around an engine. I guess I just want to know if there are any common issues or areas of concern before I dive in.

Also, how common is it for the head or block to be warped? What's the reason that head gaskets are such a problem with these engines? I'll be checking the head and deck for warpage regardless.

have the head checked at the machine shop for cracking...

if you want to save time and headaches, unbolt the intake manifold from the head and leave it in the engine bay all connected, and then pull the head out, it might get in the way but its still easyier then all those vacuum lines

i agree midnight mike it took me over an hour to get all the vaccum lines back where they belonged

This engine must be a lemon. I knew that head gaskets were a common problem, but I've got it apart and the whole thing is just fucked. I found a Fel-pro head gasket in it that looks brand new, the head has more cracks than are worth counting, and not one local yard has any of these trucks. Looks like I'm paying $450 for a new head casting plus whatever the machine shop wants to transfer all the parts over. On top of that, the rings are so bad that the pistons are literally rocking back and forth in the cylinders, so I guess I'm rebuilding the bottom end too.

The previous owner chiseled away parts of the stock carb so he could adjust it, and I don't even know what that stuff does, so I guess I'll have to find a carb specialist when I get this thing back together. It makes me want a cigarette, and I don't even smoke.

ouch... sounds like my new mazda purchase... i tore the head off cause the engine was seized. i found the #2 piston had broken the rod. so i took off the oil pain and pulled the piston out. i then purchased a new piston/rod assembly and a new gasket set. i installed the piston the next night. as i was tightening the rod to the crank i noticed a light coming thru the block. i got out from under the truck and noticed a half dollar sized hole below the ac compressor and above the oilpan.
i wish i would have seen that damnthing before i purchased 175.00 in parts.......lol

dude... ebay has the complete rebuilt and assembled motor for $795 + $150 shipping to anywhere in the US... save yourself the headache and pull the motor and core it...

It's been rebuilt and running for months now.

oh what a tard... way to bring it back from the dead haha.