Why unlikely ?

Because I would have expected the inital complaint to be boiling over or spewing antifreeze. Also, as far as things go, these things usually will burn a gasket between cylinders and/or melt valves before they crack a head. Overheating will usually induce the crack. The lack of valve adjustments usually will lead to the burning of a valve.

That, is why. It is not impossible, just a little farther down the list of possible things.

It is all academic anyway, the head needs to come off one way or another.

Michael

True enough, point taken!

Leads me to ask...

ToBe... have you noticed any of Michael's described symptoms ? I know you've recently acquired this truck, perhaps you've not noticed anything unusual from lack of driving it much ?

Well have not noticed any antifreeze levels dropping.. the other plugs were black and smelt like fuel...if she knew how to pressurize the hole i could see if it bubbled back through radiator..i cleaned plugs and had it running ok,,now assume they are foul again lost power and starts little hard...did notice gas smell other day..had not been there before and when pulled in to garage to park heard a bubbling sound...???? now can i do just this one cylinder or does that make any sense seeing as its apart and all...??any thing else i can do??? thank u

now can i do just this one cylinder or does that make any sense seeing as its apart and all...??

It has to come apart. Your only long shot chance is adjusting the vavles and trying again, but with those compresion numbers, there is a problem in the head. I doubt it is a valve adjustment problem.

At this point, there is nothing you can do from the outside to fix this problem. The head has to come off before you really know any more.

Michael

ok so is there some kind of list i need to check for parts avail. if i can find some one to take it apart..are the other three cylinders ok at the 130 pressure or should i do something to them to? or is it a matter of having a look? why other plugs fouled? is it because of this cylinder? thank u <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

You will need at the least, a top end gasket set. This is everything from the head gasket up. It might be a good idea to also change the timing belt and maybe replace the water pump while you are at it. This means you will need anti-freeze too, plus whatever other expendiable supplies that are required. It would be a good idea to replace all the rubber coolant hoses and thrermostat at this time and maybe consider a new radiator. It is no use to replace the head and kill it becasue the cooling system failed.

As for the head, it is up to you. You can either have yours fixed or get a new one. It matters little that the other three are at 130, the low number seals your fate. For the time, effort and $$, you don't just do a one cylinder valve job. You can have someone do a valve job on your current head or you can get a new aftermarket casting for ~$500 and be done with it. The testing and work on your head (it is a no-go if it is cracked) will be pretty close to that ~$500 figure. A new one will come loaded with valves. You will have to swap in your cam and put it all back together.

Without seeing a picture of your plugs, it is hard to define fouled. They are not supposed to be bright white all the time. They should be grey-tan and still be fine. If they are covered with oil (which you would see in the blue cloud that is following you) then you have other issues.

As for the fuel smell, it could be something as small as a fuel leak or you are smelling the essentially unburnt fuel from #3 when it exits the exhaust.

So, yes, we are back to the begnining. It needs to be taken apart before you get a final answer. i.e. Your choices get limited if the head is cracked. But, with those compression numbers, it has to come apart to be fixed.

Michael

ok well will make a list...is that 500.00 for new head the amc one that i have heard talk about...and where do they sell them? the plug were black and smelt of fuel...what kind of other issues? would they be minor? when stopped it idles at 750 r.p.m is that to low...? there is some blue smoke some times..darn seems to be lots to do water pump , rad, thermo, arrrrghhh!!! going to look for manual again today...is this pulling off head a very technical job to replace it with new one??? something an amature should attempt? thank u

Hmmmm... I dunno... I guess a lot would depend on how confident you feel about learning lotsa new stuff in a short time. It's not particularly difficult, no, but I can't say yes or no. My gut feeling is to say no, but the ultimate decision would be yours.

I think by the time you purchased all the parts, Head, gaskets, hoses and belts, water pump, thermostat, rad, etc, you are talking around $800 just in parts. If you have a shop do the work, you are probably talking around $1500 ??? at least in this part of the country.

Do you have tools? There are a few "special" ones you might need. i.e. a 6??? mm 1/2 drive allen key for the head bolts, a good torque wrench, etc ...

6??? mm 1/2 drive allen key

Let's try 10mm, 3/8" drive. These things are only getting torqued to ~80ft-lb. 1/2" drive is a little overkill...but definatly not necessary.

Michael

Choose yer own weapons, either way, he's gonna need a special socket, and a torque wrench, right ?