Head Gasket

[SCHOE2]

I am picking up a 99 xlt with the 4.0 and a definite blown head gasket. I was looking around and saw this stuff called Thermagasket with all sorts of claims of greatness. Talk is cheap! Has anyone tried this stuff? If this stuff is bogus does anyone have any advice relative to changing head gaskets on a 4.0? I have rebuilt the upper part of the engine on my old 1990 Bronco 2 with the 2.9, but rather than discover nasty surprises, I thought I would use a little wisdom and ask. As to the picking up the 99 xlt I figure if I squat low enough I can get it up on my shoulders and "truck" it on home. Thanks in advance.
Schoe

 

[CDW6212R]

Did you buy it, and is it the SOHC V6 or the old OHV engine?

 

[SCHOE2]

The 99 xlt is the ohv. The miles on it are 86,000 and it is like new. No rust! Wahoo!! The guy selling it a fellow university student although he is from Ohio State and I am from the University of Michigan. Go Blue! I cannot complane about the price at $832.00 that we came to an agreement on. The engine does start but you get steam out of the exhaust and coolant in the oil. Head gasket to my way of thinking.
Schoe

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! Did you ask they guy you bought it from if it happened from over heating? You should replace the thermostat, and check the fan clutch too. You wouldn't want to damage the new head gasket. Lets hope that it's only the gasket, and not a crack inside of the engine block. If this is the case, be prepared to either buy another engine or sell it for parts.

 

[Dopler174]

I figure if I squat low enough I can get it up on my shoulders and "truck" it on home.
Schoe

Be careful not to strain your milk.

 

[SCHOE2]

Well here is the latest on the 99 XLT. I picked it up Friday evening. He did not have a battery in it but I brought one (new) with me. Stuck the battery in and the truck started perfectly and ran like a top. No missing or backfires. The oil and coolant have mixed so I shut it down quickly. It ran better than my 97 XLT. Here is a new question: Since it runs so very nice is it possible I have a cracked head? (on the truck) There is no coolant getting into the cylinders but there is coolant coming out of the exhaust as steam. I have had bead head gaskets before on my old 1989 Bronco 2, but it missed badly as a result. Give me some feedback before I go and tear into the engine.
Schoe

 

[jonafer]

The intake gasket could be leaking. do a check on it first.