How to prevent head/gasket from blowing?

[bstone]

The head/gasket in my 93 Explorer XLT has blown for the third time. I have found a replacement engine which is new and never used (not a reman). Many, many mechanics tell me that the head/gasket on the 1991-2001 series of Explorers are well known for blowing. What can I do to help prevent this?

Thanks!!

stone

 

[jimbo74]

mark sure all your fluids are at the proper levels and make sure they arent old or dirty......

 

[Bronco638]

During an R&R (remove and replace), be sure the head and block deck are flat. Once a head gasket blows, usually the sealing surfaces are no longer flat enough to get a good seal. Where'd you find an NOS engine? I'd go with that and follow Jim's ^^ advice.

 

[TSTONE]

I'd say you have warped head or some type of block issue - intake gaskets are a notrious problem on these engines, but I haven't seen a lot of head gaskets on these go bad. If you have a NOS or a reman available for a reasonable price i'd say use it.

 

[Jeeps&Fords]

Most of these have been covered...

- Make sure head and block surfaces are flat - warpage of either is bad
- Use NEW head bolts. Stock bolts are torque-to-yield and can only be used once.
- Make sure the head bolts are torqued properly
- Clean the threads in the bolt holes prior to assembly - dirty threads will throw off the torque.
- Put a couple drops of oil on the threads and under the head of the bolt upon reassembly as a dry-fit can also throw off the torque.
- Use quality gaskets