Another Theoretical question or is it 2?! (Towing and head Gasket)

[audrima]

           So ya, as you might know my Truckie truck is 500 miles or so away in CT. I'll be going up there here for Thanksgiving hopefully to load it up and bring it and my hubby back to WV ^_^. So the problem it's getting a new Radiator on the 30th. but of course I believe one of the head gaskets blow (over 500K on the od it was bound to happen!) there was oil in the coolant (it looked like muddy water).

            Now question 1, Given the tools(basic wrench, and impact gun with sockets) and retired MTA mechanics to help. How long would it take to replace both head gaskets in the middle of the woods? (and what all would I need to get to do it?)

            If question 1 take longer than 3 days (I will only have from the 28th to the 1st to do it), question 2 is how bad would it be (give new radiator, fresh coolant and oil.) to drive the truck with the blown head gasket with the bed loaded with stuff and towing my 2000 Kia Sophia  behind it.( from Southbury, CT to Morgantown,WV about 500 miles and yes up some mountains). Truck did not over heat last time I drove her, Steamed out yes but did not over heat.


            Thanks for the info, I need to figure this out before I head up there on the 26th. I really should of left the truck here at my parents a year ago.
1978 GMC C25 HD  350,sm456, 14bolt(full float) rear with blown LS(I think)

Mariah.

[Irish_Alley]

it should take a couple hours to remove the old heads and install new gaskets. you have the carb and stuff on top of the intake to remove valve covers heads. should give it a day or 12 hrs for the permatex to set once you put it back together. dont use the little black gasket that comes with the intake it will only leak and cause you to curse.  BUT it might be a cracked head or block or a warped head, you almost wont know to you tear her down. might not even see it then. youre going to have to wait for others to tell you what tools and size sockets and wrenches you need. sorry cant help you there

[Stewart G Griffin]

Are you totally sure it's the head gasket(s)?    You could ruin an engine if you're not sure.  How do i know this..........?

AAA offers one 500 mile tow per year on the gold card which is, i believe, $125 per year membership...........

[Stewart G Griffin]

i just want to add that you really can't mess around when it comes to cooling and oil with engines or you will most likely ruin an engine.

i have learned this from the University of Automotive Life. 

[audrima]

thanks for the information.

          I'm not sure how else you would get oil in the coolant if the head gasket is not the problem? we have gold AAA but they will not tow it loaded. and I need to load it up with mine and my hubby's stuff to move down here.  the engine runs great honestly.

          I know running with a bad head gasket is bad mmm kay. lol  The main thing is getting the truck (and our stuff) down here. if I could afford it I would rent a uhaul and tow truckie down. but I can't do that.


thanks again!
Mariah.

[Irish_Alley]

if your rad has a oil/trans cooler in it, it could leak

[audrima]

I did not think about that, but sadly I don't have a trans cooler. Thanks for the idea, I think I will do a  pressure test after we put the rad back in, if hit hold then I'll most likely just drive it home, else might send it to my hubby's friends auto shop. Or if it's warm enough, do the work my self. ^_^


thank you for the help!
Mariah

[Irish_Alley]

something else i just thought about. most time you dont leak oil into the anti freeze its the other way around. i would think your oil pressure does get higher than the anti freeze but once the engine stops running your anti freeze is higher and should push into the oil. could it be your anti freeze is just dirty/rusty?

[audrima]

hm it could be, I mean that rad was vary vary messed up ( been patched like 7 times) so that could be, I did put a new oil pump in and fresh oil before I drove up there had kind of high oil pressure for a bit then it leveled off after about 100 miles. When I get up there on the 26th I will check the oil and see if there is any coolent in it. if there is not then?


thanks irish

[Irish_Alley]

you could also test the antifreeze for presents of hydrocarbons. hydrocarbons are from exhaust gases it would only be in the antifreeze from the engine. but im not sure if that test is feasible for someone who is only going to test it once. you can rent a block pressure tester from autozone. the ones i remember didnt have the coolant tester but they might now or you might be able to buy it. but the block tester should tell you if you have a leak if the pressure drops. but beware the tester might have some abuse on it so even if it shows a leak it might be the tester itself

[audrima]

How do you test for hydrocarbons?  the radator has already been pulled too so hm.  I have a block and coolant tester here at the house. I'm just going to borrow them from my dad ^_^.  5 more days wooT! I honestly hope the rad was the probem I don't have the replacement engine yet!


thanks again!
Mariah

[Irish_Alley]

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2309034
this is one way to test
theres test strips also

[audrima]

thanks Irish


4 more days ^_^

mariah

[Stewart G Griffin]

Actually, this brings up the question, how do you know if the head gasket(s) are blown.  Or if the heads/block has warped?

If it's just the head gaskets or the heads need to be milled i might want to repair my 305 instead of replacing it being i'm a little pressed for time these days.

[Irish_Alley]

Could also be a cracked head. Only way I know to be able to tell is take it off and inspect the gasket then head and block with a straight edge. If you don't see anything might have to take it to a shop