Blown head gasket/cracked heads

[drumzzzz]

I have a 1994 explorer w/automatic approaching 200k miles.
The belt tensioner gave way,and it overheated once, and since then it was loosing coolant slowly.
finally a month later the head gasket finally gave way and possibly has a cracked head. Does anybody think it's worth rebuilding the engine with new heads ( I would do the work myself) or time to call the junkyard? I'm afraid with a considerable $$ investment the transmission or ?? might be next?

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Maybe it's your time for a new truck. But if your lacking for cash - replace the heads with some rebuilds - but make sure that your block is still straight and true. Anyhow - a used motor wouldn't cost you a whole lot...but your transmission does have issues - is it origional?

-Drew

 

[Rhett]

finally a month later the head gasket finally gave way and possibly has a cracked head. Does anybody think it's worth rebuilding the engine with new heads ( I would do the work myself) or time to call the junkyard? I'm afraid with a considerable $$ investment the transmission or ?? might be next?

If you like the truck, then it's worth it to you... ?
Not sure if you're asking for advice, or what. If it were me yes, I would get new heads and rebuild it, or at least put in new lifters, etc.. 94 Limiteds are rare as it is.

If you do part it out, I want your Limited grille.

 

[410Fortune]

You have 200K on the stock auto trans?

This would influence my decision on how much $$$ I put into the engine at this point.

 

[Creager]

I definatly would not, for the fact its an autotrans. If you wanted to go as far as swapping to a manual or a c5/c4 hybrid, then i would see it as being a worthy cause. But the fact you have 200k on that A4LD, its definatly next in line. You might aswell swap/fix the tranny while you replace the heads.

If you are going with new heads... try out Alabama Cylinder Head (search google, i dont have direct URL)

They sell the MAHLE castings which are FAR superior to the Ford stock castings. You also want to look into Delta Cams rocker arms and pushrods. The lifters are whats going to kill ya $$ wise.

$400 heads
$150 FORD GASKETS (lower intake, head gaskets, valve covers, upper intake & fuel rail)
$250 Delta cam rocker arms + pushrods
$500 for lifters.

kinda pricey.

$800 Reman'ed M5R1 manual tranny
$250 LUK performance gold clutch set.

At that point i think you would have a new truck haha.

 

[drumzzzz]

thanks for the advice all, yes it is the original transmission- thats my biggest worry, I imagine if you put a fresh motor up to just about any high mileage auto tranny=problems. Not to mention being from a northern state the 12 years of road salt is showing. I'm going to decide in a month or so to part it out.