Smokin' like banshee!

[The-Q]

Hi,
1993 Exp. with 4.0 litre engine, automatic, and 170000 miles. On the highway it started losing power and smoking. I arrived at my destination after 30 minutes of smoking and knocking. When I restarted it three hours later, it was puffing heavy, white smoke. Had it towed home. I pulled the plugs and all six were heavily oil and gunk fouled. I put in six new plugs, started it, and it still smoked. If the head gasket(s) blew, could it effect all six cylinders? Any suggestions are appreciated, Thanks.

GQ

 

[IAmTodd]

Just curious, if it was smoking, why'd you continue to drive it!? I'd say some hefty damage was done.

 

[4X4_Exploder]

Mine has the same problem, It's most likely your heads are cracked, and your probably dripping **** into your exhaust causing that thick billowing smoke.....so i'm guessing like me, your gonna be out at leas a grand or two.........

 

[liqhx2]

what color is the smoke?

 

[Mike621]

I live in North Jersey, there are someplaces you just dont want to ever stop... no matter how much smoke... I had a Suzuki Sidekick before my X, and that thing left me everywhere.

 

[savant]

Cracked heads doesn't mean a few thousand, if you're willing to do the work yourself... I'm in the middle of repairing a cracked head myself:

New aftermarket heads from ebay, shipped: $250
Premium head kit (all gaskets and bolts) from Napa: $180
Exhaust and intake valve refacing (local machine shop): $25
(Would be about $120 for all new valves, if you wanted to do that instead)

Once it's back together (probly two weeks from now) it'll need probably two oil/filter changes, and possibly new spark plugs (a couple of them fouled badly when the head cracked). Now if you want to fix your valve clatter while you've got the whole thing apart:

New rockers, 12 @ $16 apiece = $192
New roller-lifters, 12 @ $31.25 apiece = $375
New push rods, 12 @ $7 apiece = $94

So even if you replaced most everything in the whole upper half of the engine, you're still only talking around $1200... Ok, so maybe it will be a grand or so. hehe. Now I'm sorry I tallied it all. Bleck.

FWIW, these prices are from C&P machine in Fort Wayne Indiana, (260) 484-7723. I'm not affiliate, my family has just had really good dealings with them in the past.

 

[elkhunter]

I would like to know more about those C&P heads. What kind of warranty, iron or aluminum, and can you get just the castings or do you need to buy the complete head?

 

[savant]

The heads themselves are not from C&P. They are bare iron castings from a machine shop called Southern Cylinder Heads in Huntsville Alabama. They are cast for a 95+ 4.0L block, but they'll work on the 91-94 engines also (and I assume on the Rangers and Aerostars with similar enginers?). Supposedly they have 5-6 cc's less volume in them than the stock 91-94 heads, so they'll result in slightly higher compression. Also supposedly, they are cast thicker in the problem areas, to cut down on cracks between valves, for example.

I'm taking this all on the word of the guy (Shawn Anderson) at the shop that I purchased the heads from (though ebay). I'm hoping to install the heads and get the explorer running this coming weekend (december 10,11,12), so I'll know more about it then. For now, all I know is that all the bolt holes and seals line up correctly.

The heads were $100 apiece + $50 total shipping. They are from Southern Cylinder Heads, Huntsville Alabama. The contact email I have is landerson02@yahoo.com and the phone number I have for their shop (they are very helpful) is 256-535-4403.

They were the best price I found for heads, by far, in my shopping. I'm hoping they'll turn out to be good heads. Hope that info helps you elkhunter. Reply again if I need to clear anything up.

The original auction I purchased the heads through: Ebay Auction: 4.0L Ford Heads

 

[4X4_Exploder]

Cracked heads doesn't mean a few thousand, if you're willing to do the work yourself... I'm in the middle of repairing a cracked head myself:

Yeah that's if you have the tools and facilities

 

[XplodeThis]

That's great to hear because I just bought heads from the same guy.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...&item=7940768020&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT

did yours fit and work perfectly with no problems?

 

[Eneurb]

Before condemning your cylinder heads, just be aware that transmission fluid also burns white. A4LD vacuum modulators are prone to failing causing transmission fluid to be sucked into the intake and burn. That could explain the oil on the plugs, and why it is on all 6 cylinders. Disconnect the vacuum line on the tee on the left side of the rear of the upper intake and see if there is fluid in there.

 

[savant]

That's great to hear because I just bought heads from the same guy.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...&item=7940768020&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT

did yours fit and work perfectly with no problems?

Yes, they fit and work perfectly. I had a machine shop reface the valves and attach them, it only cost $60, but I think it was worth it. The other hidden cost was that using 1995 heads on my 1991 engine caused the compression ratio to climb enough that I have to use mid grade fuel to prevent spark knock now. Other than that, I'm pleased as pie.

 

[elkhunter]

The heads themselves are not from C&P. They are bare iron castings from a machine shop called Southern Cylinder Heads in Huntsville Alabama. They are cast for a 95+ 4.0L block, but they'll work on the 91-94 engines also (and I assume on the Rangers and Aerostars with similar enginers?). Supposedly they have 5-6 cc's less volume in them than the stock 91-94 heads, so they'll result in slightly higher compression. Also supposedly, they are cast thicker in the problem areas, to cut down on cracks between valves, for example.

I'm taking this all on the word of the guy (Shawn Anderson) at the shop that I purchased the heads from (though ebay). I'm hoping to install the heads and get the explorer running this coming weekend (december 10,11,12), so I'll know more about it then. For now, all I know is that all the bolt holes and seals line up correctly.

The heads were $100 apiece + $50 total shipping. They are from Southern Cylinder Heads, Huntsville Alabama. The contact email I have is landerson02@yahoo.com and the phone number I have for their shop (they are very helpful) is 256-535-4403.

They were the best price I found for heads, by far, in my shopping. I'm hoping they'll turn out to be good heads. Hope that info helps you elkhunter. Reply again if I need to clear anything up.

The original auction I purchased the heads through: Ebay Auction: 4.0L Ford Heads

Could you use your original valves in the bare castings or do they take a different valve and components?

 

[XplodeThis]

Yes, they fit and work perfectly. I had a machine shop reface the valves and attach them, it only cost $60, but I think it was worth it. The other hidden cost was that using 1995 heads on my 1991 engine caused the compression ratio to climb enough that I have to use mid grade fuel to prevent spark knock now. Other than that, I'm pleased as pie.

Awesome, did you get fast delivery as well? Im waiting on mine, mine have everything though. They're ready to be installed when I get 'em, and for 50 bucks shipping??? Not bad at all! Im excited, i wanna get this exploder back on the road so the transmission can go out! hah, Anyway it's good to hear that everything runs smoothly, I just got to get mine and get 'em on, I'll post about it hopefully by christmas.