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Maybe head gasket on wrong?

Tiny
LARRY DUNN
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 FORD RANGER
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 142,000 MILES
Anti-freeze in oil. I just had heads milled and a valve job. Put new head gaskets and new head bolts followed torque specs. My thought is I think the head gasket on the passenger side was put in wrong. I think this is because the head gaskets had a v on it drivers' side and the v faced the front of the motor on the passenger side. We put the v facing the rear. I had to do this to get the holes to line up after assembling started the truck it ran less than 10 seconds quit. Would not start again checking oil have brand new anti-freeze in oil. I am lost? It's the only thing I think we done that doesn't add up. Thanks for any help or suggestions you might have. Thanks in advance. Larry
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Friday, September 30th, 2022 AT 6:39 PM

14 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Larry, did you notice any white smoke from the exhaust? Also, will it start now, or has it started again since this happened?

If you have coolant in the oil, it certainly sounds like a head gasket issue. Take a look through this link and see if there are any other symptoms experienced that mirror what is shown in the link.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Let me know. Also, if the head gasket would only fit the way you installed it, it wouldn't make sense that it is installed backward.

Take care and let me know your thoughts on what is covered in the link.

Joe
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Friday, September 30th, 2022 AT 11:10 PM
Tiny
LARRY DUNN
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Sorry so late. I could not get on this site. My truck didn't run long enough to see if it was smoking and would not start. Checked oil antifreeze already in oil. I think the head gasket was put on upside down. Which way do these head gaskets go? White lines against heads or white lines towards the block? As you can see, the gaskets were a mess with 10 seconds running time. I have new Fel-Pro gaskets on the way. Thanks so much Joe. Hopefully It will let me on here quicker. Larry
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Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 AT 6:42 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

I'm not sure why you were unable to get on. Was there a notice or anything you saw that I can check into? Let me know.

Also, the lines are usually up. However, that can change based on the manufacturer.

Let me know how things turn out for you. Also, let me know if I can help with anything. For example, do you need torque specifications or any specific direction?

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 AT 7:07 PM
Tiny
LARRY DUNN
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thank you so much. I still don't know why coolant entered my oil so fast. When I put these new Fel-Pro gaskets on, and antifreeze enters my oil I'll know I probably have a cracked block somewhere. Will keep you posted. Again thanks a ton. Larry
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Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 AT 8:05 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Larry, no problem whatsoever. As far as a possible cracked block, you can use a product called magnaflux. I'm not sure if you have ever heard of it, but it is available. They make a spot checker system that is affordable and useable at home. Watch this video and see if you want to do it. It may save you a lot of work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtJTkrgvt2c

Take care and let me know how things turn out for you.

Joe
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Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 AT 8:37 PM
Tiny
LARRY DUNN
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Joe thanks for your help. Put truck back together today. It started runs rough then starts to back fire though the exhaust. Run rapid back fire seems to be around the egr. Can definitely feel it at the exhaust. Could the valves be not adjusted right? All else is good no water in oil. No leaks.I don't know alot about adjusting the valves. My freind helping me had me turn crank and adjusted them all on the down stroke at the least postion down. Ford specs I seen said just torque them down at 26ft lbs. Regardless of postion. Thanks for your help I sure need it. Larry
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Thursday, October 6th, 2022 AT 1:53 PM
Tiny
LARRY DUNN
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I put my new Fel-Pro head gaskets on today got all put on it did start but ran rough started backfiring through the exhaust, kind of fast back firing. Will start on its own and don't run good. Don't know what to think about the back firing. Thanks for your help. Can the back firing be from valves not adjusted right? Larry
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Thursday, October 6th, 2022 AT 6:26 PM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
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Allow me to stick my nose in here a moment. The 3.0L engine uses hydraulic lifters. There's no valve adjustment with them. Tighten the rocker arm bolts to 19 - 28 foot-pounds like you did.
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Friday, October 7th, 2022 AT 4:39 PM
Tiny
LARRY DUNN
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Thanks so much. I did find out what all the backfiring was, there were two plug wires crossed. Helped a lot. Now it just sounds like exhaust manifold leaks. I'm working on it. Thank you and Joe so much.
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Friday, October 7th, 2022 AT 5:40 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

Larry, that is a very easy mistake to make. Other than the exhaust leak, is it running good?

Joe
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Friday, October 7th, 2022 AT 7:39 PM
Tiny
LARRY DUNN
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Yes, it fires right us. Have a hose leak or thermostat lead. Will take care of that and work on exhaust leak. Thanks so much. I will let you know when I drive it. Larry
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Saturday, October 8th, 2022 AT 5:52 AM
Tiny
LARRY DUNN
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
Drove my truck today, it ran great. Thanks so much, Ya'll were great. Thank you a ton. Larry
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Saturday, October 8th, 2022 AT 4:56 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

Thanks for the update. I'm glad to know you got it running well again.

Please feel free to come back anytime in the future if you have questions. You certainly are always welcome here.

Take care,

Joe
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Saturday, October 8th, 2022 AT 9:22 PM
Tiny
LARRY DUNN
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Yes sir. I will, and thank you.
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Sunday, October 9th, 2022 AT 3:00 AM

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