I finally am getting time to work on the Jonesmobile. The truck is smoking pretty badly on cold startup and is losing some coolant. Here are pictures of the heads...

Passenger side - 5, 3, 1



Driver's side - 2, 4, 6



This is the first time I've ever pulled heads off of any engine so I'm not sure what I'm looking at, other than the exhaust on #1 looks suspicious, and both intake and exhaust on #2 look kinda ugly. Is this a symptom of a dropped valve guide? Valve stem seals? The head gaskets did not show any sign of breaching.

The heads are going to the machine shop tomorrow. I'm simply curious at this point to hear the wisdom of the folks here who really know this stuff <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Eric W.

Hard to tell to much from the pics. the big thing is if there are cracks between the valves. if you are getting it sent to a shop, get them to do a pressure test on it and clean it real good for you to do your own inspection. Definitely replace the valve seals. it is super easy with the heads off. you will know more once you get them back from the machine shop.

blown head gasket on number 4 that cylinder was sucking antifreeze

Really? I would have expected those valves to look steam-cleaned... Maybe that explains where the coolant was going <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

Eric W.

Machine shop will be hot-tanking the heads, checking the cams, etc. I'll ask them about pressure-testing. Definitely will be replacing valve stem seals.

Eric W.

Ya cant "hot tank" aluminum, but I'm assuming you mean they will clean the heads using some other method. Let us know how it goes.

I guess that's a good assumption. That was the term the machinist used, but maybe it was a catch-all phrase. He's been in business since 1969, and while I was dropping the heads off this morning the Service Manager of the local Saab dealership was dropping off stuff for him, so hopefully those are both good signs <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

I'll be sure to update this thread once I find out something definitive. I should have the heads back late this week or early next.

Eric W.

A lot of machine shops are going to oven baking plus jet washing instead of tanking, because you can use it on iron or aluminum, just at different temps.