Update:

Its been two weeks so far and I'm on tank #2. I've driven about 600 miles and the truck runs great, except for a wonky idle to a pesky P0174 code (I cannot seem to find the leak anywhere, its been bothering me for years). Mileage is ~20mpg and no burning of coolant or oil. I did an oil change after the head gasket and the oil was milky, I tried to get as much out as I can but I suspect this one will be changed out before 3,000 miles just for peace of mind. I managed to break my oil dipstick so I'm still waiting for a replacement to come in so I can see how the oil is doing.

Since putting on the new head along with cleaning out the upper and lower intake manifolds of all the grime and finding one of my IMRCs inop (and fixed it), I've probably freed up about 20rwhp from the engine. It honestly feels like a V8 and I've never felt it have more power. As soon as the IMRCs open, it just PULLS. at 4,000RPM it sings and is so much easier to pass cars. I can't wait to hook up my camper.

Overall, it was a PITA, expecially when you only have basic hand tools. I had to drive to local auto parts stores 14 times total (and still ordering offline) and it probably cost my $700+ to do:

$170 new head
$170 new radiator
$50 in coolant
$50 in oil (had to do 2 oil changes)
$20 new power steering pulley
$200 in gaskets and bolts
Plus gas going to and fro.

If anyone runs into this problem and needs help, feel free to PM me.

 

Congrats on solving the problem. I have known your truck on this forum for years, and after reading all this, I'm convinced that truck will NEVER die!

 

^ Same! That sumbitch'll last ferever. Glad it's fixed though, Alex.

 

Thanks guys. Ive replaced enough stuff on this truck to build a new one. But no matter what breaks, its all cheaper than a new car payment!

 

It sure is! Having taken it this far already, I'd want to take it to a million just for the bragging rights of saying I did it.

 

And now the passenger side head needs replacing...

 

Really Raptor? You had it torn down enough to remove the head and you only did 1? You bad bad boy!Ha ha

There are usually 2 head gaskets in the kit and it isn't that much more to pull the second head. Now you have to rip it apart again to get to the other head.

I always do both if one is bad.......but that's just me. At least you know what you are getting into this time.

 

You did a lot of work on it before for $700. A dealer would charge that much for 1/5 of the repairs you did. You know how to change the heads now. Go for it!

 

I am glad you got the one side fixed and now you know what tools and everything to get. I remember when I was saying how my truck moved along quickly for being a V6 and hardly anyone believed me lol. When you get a good one they have some power. It's funny, I always looked at all the sigs for 1/4 times on people's trucks and mine was quicker with more weight and less upgrades out of all the 4.2s I saw.

 

Yeah I was contemplating it, but I was lazy. Looks like I'm paying for it now.

I ordered another head as well. The last one had micro cracks by the spark plugs so I just ordered a new head, new head gasket, oil, coolant and new (4th times a charm) lower intake mani gasket. I have all the tools so this should only be maybe 7 hours, max. $300.

 

Lol you're right about it being cheaper than a car payment lol. I just traded my f150 for my ram and I'm paying 2 months of payments for what it cost you this time around for both sides.

 

I agree.

I would rather spend the money keeping my truck up and running for 20 years or more than spend it on a new truck. Especially when you are mechanically inclined, you have resources for repair guides, and the tools to do it. Only makes sense.

I've been keeping a Jeep Compass rolling right along now for 115k miles and no engines issues because I change the oil regularly and replace parts at their intervals whether they are bad or not. That along with the suspension parts. The thing drives like new just like the day I drove it off the lot back in '07. Same goes for my truck.

Like this summer I am going to do a full brake job on it -- Centric front hub conversions, rotors, pads, calipers, and e-brake pads and whatever other parts that need replacing. Best part of all, I can buy the parts whenever I want to do during the winter, and then spend a couple days tinkering with the brakes at my leisure to make sure they done right. I also plan on replacing the plugs with new Motorcraft plugs, new Motorcraft wires, PCV valve, air filter, fuel filter, and a new Motorcraft FPDM. At the end of the day... it sure beats making truck payments. Along with the pride of learning more about my truck.

 

Well I give you props for that. I loved my f150 and so far am loving my ram. I would have kept my f150 and fixed it but I needed 4wd since my girlfriend no longer works with me and goes the opposite way for work with her 4wd ram. I would have been stuck in my f150 only 1 week after I traded it. In my ram I couldn't go any faster than 30mph in 4wd without breaking the tires loose because I was plowing snow with my bumper. My f150 would have had trouble steering and I can't plow snow with the bumper for longer than like 50 ft without coming to a stop. In the ram I was having trouble steering too since I was going thru a mess of tire tracks so it was pulling all over the place. In all honesty tho I should have kept my f150 and bought the ram and just alternate driving. I got less than I should have on trade in and if I denied the extended warranty and gap insurance(package deal), I would probably be paying what I am now with the trade in money deleted....maybe even still have a slightly lower payment actually. Hindsight is 20/20 tho.