I do have my head off my '89 ,which the motor is still in it.The head should be good. Question though,does the aluminum head need to be resurfaced every time you take it off , or only when it's been over heated,or blown gasket?Also they recommend new head bolts every time ?"MAN I"M GETTING A HEAD ACHE!" Do you guys think thats all it is or is there other things that could be wrong or to look out for <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />?

Almost all aluminum heads take some kind of warp, and need at least a light surfacing (and a pressure test). Unless the bolts are really stretched, they should be fine. I've reused hundreds. Check the length carefully to make sure they don't bottom in the block hole before they clamp the gasket.

Thanks "fasteddy" for your truthful & detailed replies, always appreciate a second opinion. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />.I should have a digital camera so I could share with anyone who would like to know about doing the tear down between these two trucks & what you run into along the way. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />The '85 truck is to be used for parts ,my '89 2.6L is the one I want running again,it has the engine with bad rod knock & with a external crack in the block between the 3 frost plugs under the exhaust manifold (non rebuildable block) <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />The '85 2.6L which now I know has a blown head gasket, & NOT a timing problem <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" />.Like "LJR4x4" said ,"never trust the former owner"on what they say.I guess some of us will never learn, specially me, dumb <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" />.I know what the seller is saying <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" /> sucker! "BUT THE MIGHTY QUINN WILL NOT BE DEFEATED... NO <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shame.gif" alt="" />HERE, I WILL CONQUOR MY QUEST, I WILL BE KING OF THE DEAD 2.6L's ,& SOMEDAY HAVE IT RUNNING AGAIN"! with a little help from my friends here at "4X4WIRE" . <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />Thanks again!

Old Red the 2.6 4wd pu used to whip my butt regularly. It won the battles, I won the war....

Had some time this weekend to work on the '85 Ram 50 4x4,tear down the engine that is <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />.Noticed there was no thermostat , another sign it had the over heating problem.Motor is out & on the stand.Question though <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />,when the head gasket blew what other kind of damage could it do?Cylinder walls, piston scoring,or damage to the bottom end bearings ? Haven't pulled the head yet, all I did was look through the plug hole with flash light & seen that the top of the pistons in#1,&#4 cylinder were clean looking <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />.Washed from the antifreeze ,I'm guessing.Thanks again.