Head Gasket blown

[neversleepagain]

Hey guys,
I just recently blew my head gasket on my 91 explorer. I was wondering where I can find a repair manual for free as I'm on a budget. I heard this site had all the manuals but I can't find them anywhere. Also any tips for my project?

 

[teletekman]

If your going to tackle a job such as this, especially for the first time then I would highly recommend getting a repair manual for this. Either Chilton or Haynes. I have used Haynes manuals in the past and have been pretty happy with them.

You can get them for as cheap as 50 cents plus a couple bucks shipping off Amazon which is a hell of a steal...

http://www.amazon.com/Ford-Explorer-Haynes-Repair-1991-2001/dp/1563924420?tag=53363387-20

I'm don't think your going to find any user manuals for free on this site.

 

[neversleepagain]

If your going to tackle a job such as this, especially for the first time then I would highly recommend getting a repair manual for this. Either Chilton or Haynes. I have used Haynes manuals in the past and have been pretty happy with them.

You can get them for as cheap as 50 cents plus a couple bucks shipping off Amazon which is a hell of a steal...

http://www.amazon.com/Ford-Explorer-Haynes-Repair-1991-2001/dp/1563924420?tag=53363387-20

I'm don't think your going to find any user manuals for free on this site.

I definitely want to get the manual. I found one on ebay for 5 bucks which is great I just didn't want to wait for it to ship out. I also found the gaskets online for 12 bucks a piece but my question is should I get the gasket set shown here?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/90-94-4-0-F...91|Model:Explorer&hash=item53ea1ce7e2&vxp=mtr

It comes with a bunch of gaskets but its 50 bucks. I'm thinking I should get it in case the other gaskets are shot too.

 

[jd4242]

I definitely want to get the manual. I found one on ebay for 5 bucks which is great I just didn't want to wait for it to ship out. I also found the gaskets online for 12 bucks a piece but my question is should I get the gasket set shown here?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/90-94-4-0-F...91|Model:Explorer&hash=item53ea1ce7e2&vxp=mtr

It comes with a bunch of gaskets but its 50 bucks. I'm thinking I should get it in case the other gaskets are shot too.

Going cheap on gaskets is never a good idea.also your need almost every gasket in that kit PLUS new head bolts..I would look on rock auto for a felpro kit.but being a 90Tm head you probably have a cracked head, not gasket.I would have the heads tested or you just wasting time and money

 

[teletekman]

I 100% agree going with a Felpro kit. They are not much more $$$ than that ebay kit you linked to either. I have used Felpro for years and have never been let down on their quality. In the end, you will be happy you did.

Gasket Set - http://www.rockauto.com/dbphp/x,catalog,6,partnum,HS9724PT1,d,FEL-PRO_HS9724PT1.html

You will also need a new set of head bolts as the one the Ex's use are stamped and should only be used once. I have used Victor Reinz parts in the past and have been happy with them as well. Plus for $16 you can beat it...

Head Bolt Set - http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=2649476&cc=1119608

x2 on getting them pressure tested and resurfaced as well. Doing a head gasket job typically isn't something you will want to skimp on. You don't want to have to do this again in 5000 miles.

Been there done that.

 

[neversleepagain]

I 100% agree going with a Felpro kit. They are not much more $$$ than that ebay kit you linked to either. I have used Felpro for years and have never been let down on their quality. In the end, you will be happy you did.

Gasket Set - http://www.rockauto.com/dbphp/x,catalog,6,partnum,HS9724PT1,d,FEL-PRO_HS9724PT1.html

You will also need a new set of head bolts as the one the Ex's use are stamped and should only be used once. I have used Victor Reinz parts in the past and have been happy with them as well. Plus for $16 you can beat it...

Head Bolt Set - http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=2649476&cc=1119608

x2 on getting them pressure tested and resurfaced as well. Doing a head gasket job typically isn't something you will want to skimp on. You don't want to have to do this again in 5000 miles.

Been there done that.

Thank you guys very much for the info. I'll defintely take your advice on this. I really appreciate it. I've never done a job this complicated but I don't have the money to take it to a shop plus it's a good learning experience. I've done other jobs but never really done much with the engine or tranny. I also have a tranny leak near the bell housing. I will make a new post if you guys think it's necessary for this fix.

 

[neversleepagain]

For the bolts on amazon I put in my year, make, and model and it says it doesn't fit. Is this true?

 

[teletekman]

For the bolts on amazon I put in my year, make, and model and it says it doesn't fit. Is this true?

Hmm...I'm not sure why it says they won't fit. I just tried it and it says it should fit no problem. Unless you Ex has something other than the factory 4.0installed...

http://www.amazon.com/Victor-Reinz-GS33221-Cylinder-Head/dp/B006E0S4P8/ref=au_as_r?ie=UTF8&Make=Ford%7C54&Model=Explorer%7C663&Year=1991%7C1991&carId=002&n=15684181&newCar=1&s=automotive&vehicleType=automotive

 

[ifergusson]

My local Public library has lots of repair manuals.Anytime I am working on a vehicle that I don't want to buy a manual for I just get one from the library.I have had good luck buying parts from Rockauto and I have never been disappointed with Fel-pro.

 

[mr cribb]

To be honest, get both Chilton and Haynes manuals. Both have good information and some things one book covers that the other doesn't or it seems to be more clarified in one book over the other.

Good luck. I did mine last year. And I had to do the head gasket twice because I failed to torque the bolts properly.

Take your time with it and don't rush.

 

[neversleepagain]

My local Public library has lots of repair manuals.Anytime I am working on a vehicle that I don't want to buy a manual for I just get one from the library.I have had good luck buying parts from Rockauto and I have never been disappointed with Fel-pro.

My local library has very few Chilton or Haynes books. I used to live in kingman and they always carried a bunch of them.

 

[ifergusson]

You might want to check with them anyway.Our library is linked together with others in our province and the last manual I borrowed came from a city 40 miles away.

 

[EXPLORER04]

Manual - https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B2rg5by6lQO3XzJENFByN3RYVWs/edit?usp=sharing

 

[neversleepagain]

After installing the new gasket and run the vehicle for a while do i need to dissassemble again and retighten the bolts? I saw a video of a guy installing a new head gasket and he did this. That's a lot of work. Is it necessary if I tighten the bolts properly the first time?

 

[jd4242]

No you dont do that....

 

[teletekman]

You did install new head bolts right? If you did and torqued them properly then they should be fine.

 

[mr cribb]

No... New bolts are mandatory and you follow torque sequence as per the manual. If you dont, you will do the job all over again. This happened to me last year. Improper sequence and spec caused oil to pour out tripping low oil light, because that's how fast it was running out.

Take your time, use new bolts lube the threads of the new bolts and torque IN ORDER to specifications.

 

[neversleepagain]

Okay thank you. I was just confused by the guys video I saw. I am ordering the gaskets and the bolts tomorrow. I haven't even gotten the heads off yet cuz I've been busy with work and school but tomorrow I'm taking off the rocker covers, lower intake, exhaust manifolds, rocker shaft, pushrods, and finally the heads. I have the sequences for tightening. Any suggestions on what stages I should torque the bolts, as in first stage do 20 FT-LB then 40 FT-LB until you get to the recommended torque?

 

[neversleepagain]

Don't the XL, XLT, and Eddie Bauer models use different head bolts? Also how do I tell which model mine is? The title just says 4DSW.

 

[mr cribb]

No they're the same. What ever the book says is the spec. I don't know it off hand but it's 3 steps. The last one being 90 degree turn.



The socket/tool for the head bolts is a t50 or t55 torx.