Topic: I think my motor is toast, again

[Huhwhye]

I think my water pump failure a few months back killed my motor.  I shut it down as soon as I saw the gauge rise but I guess I was too late.  Damn aluminum heads.

When I fire it up it runs like its on 3 cylinders, then after a short while it clears up.  Than when up to temp it detonates under acceleration.  I opened the radiator cap and it looks like oil is in the coolant.     Good thing I have it smoged last month.  But that was after I replaced the water pump so I must have passed smog with a blown head gasket  Otherwise I'd have to register it non op.  So I guess I lucked out a little bit.

This motor was fresh 13,000 on rebuilt.  I reused the old aftermarket water pump.  I can't afford to fix it right now, no money and no time.  At least I have another vehicle to drive.  The Yota will have to wait until the summer.

I am really starting to hate truck motors with aluminum heads.  All you have to do is get it hot once and your done.  With an all iron motor, they can take the heat for short periods.  You can fix the problem and move on.   

[79coyotefrg]

um not really, but those used aftermarket water pumps are super cool huh


ive blown head gaskets on many a castiron v8

when a waterpump goes bad things get intensley hot quik,   

       more than likely your temp guage didnt show HOT till after the gasket blew


it should be a fairly easy fix since you did shut it off as soon as it "showed hot"

just replace the headgasket and go

[Huhwhye [OP]]

Of course you can blow a head gasket on anything.  But it wont likely happen on an iron motor because it got hot for a short period of time.  Fired up a freshly done 468 big block the other day at a friend's house.  Took it for a spin and it got hot 250+, turns out its collapsing the lower radiator hose when the motor revs.  And it only gets hot when your on the gas.  let off and it cools down.  Oh, well get a new radiator hose with a spring in it and be on your way.

All I'm saying is it doesn't take long for aluminum to warp when it gets hot.  And how many times have you seen someone on this site talk about blowing a head gasket or warping a head.  My motor has done it twice.  First time because the idiot before me abused the motor, second time see above.  It's kinda frustrating

[Huhwhye [OP]]

I venting so much I forgot to ask the question

How do I make sure the head isn't warped without paying to have it checked.  Remember I am broke.

[79coyotefrg]

get a good quality straight edge and check diagonally

chances are its ok,  but use NEW headbolts for 87 22RE

[Huhwhye [OP]]

thanks for the quick replies

I used ARP head studs when I built it 13,000 ago.

I am just not looking forward to pulling everything apart again.

[Volcom]

Wow, I guess I should get a temp gauge that actally works.  The stock one is toast and I don't ever know what temp it's running at 

[WHITE_TRASH]

Hold on a second, You sprung for ARP head studs but you installed an USED water pump?  You deserve to have to go back through the engine if thats the case.  That is the #1 thing I do when I rebuild ANY engine whether its yota or chevy whatever it doesnt matter they all get a brand new water pump even if the current one is 20 minutes old.  My time is worth more to me than a cheap pos water pump causeing me to have to redo an engine.

[Jase]

I took my  head down to a machine shop and they checked it for free just have it cleand up for them.