B2600 Head Questions

I recently picked up a '91 B2600 4x4 that doesn't run, well, I was told it didn't. I spent some time with it a couple of weekends ago and got it to crank and run, but it was leaking antifreeze like a river from the radiator and was blowing white smoke (antifreeze smell) from the exhaust. It idled OK for a while then I shut it off. It also took quite a few turns of the starter to get it fired up (quite a few = about 20 seconds).

I bought a new radiator for it and a head gasket kit. Sunday, I pulled the head and old radiator. All cylinders look good and I don't see any visible problems with the valves or cracks in the head.

My question is, should I take the head to a head shop and let them work the seats/check for level? I don't really want to spend $400 on the head as it looks like some of the local shops charge for working on this head.

Any input would be appreciated.



And a little fun with high heat spray paint:

I went ahead and took the head to a local engine machine shop. He said he would work it and clean/paint if for $100. That's good insurance if you ask me. That's all this place does is heads, so I think they'll do a good job.

Ya thats a good deal man, will he crack for cracks??? It'd suck to do all that work and spend money on a cracked head

Yup, crack checkin' included.

It probably got hot and just blew the headgasket if your lucky. Hope its not a cracked, but these trucks are notorious for that.

I feel pretty good about it not being cracked. I checked it over pretty well and the guy at the "head shop" also looked it over pretty well and neither of us could find anything visible to the naked eye. Hopefully that's a sign that it's OK.

I should know its fate sometime tomorrow. I'll let you guys know.

The same shop can get me a new (not reman) for $300, so I guess that's the worst case scenario.

Put a seperate trans oil cooler on it to further prevent overheating!!! And an electric fan

Will it run hot under normal use?

they tend to.bj

bump.I didnt explain why.frontal cooling area thru the grill seems ok for the 2200 but not adequate for the bigger engine.Thats why an electric fan helps.BJ