Detroit Head gasket
Subscribe
12-30-2006Does anyone have any tips, to get this done. Is it like doing a car,....but bigger?
The truck had an inframe 250,000 miles ago, and is leaking oil up front driver side just behind the front cover.
Do I just torque, or replace?
The truck had an inframe 250,000 miles ago, and is leaking oil up front driver side just behind the front cover.
Do I just torque, or replace?
#2
That oil leak sounds like it's coming form the camshaft seal, very common on Detroits, dribbles down the d/s front of the engine. Usually doesn't leak enuff to bother, just makes a mess. Check your Detroit dlr for the cure. Warrrenty?
I sprayed brake cleaner on the side of the engine, from the cam cover to the oil pan, and after 5 minutes of idle, there was a steady drip running down the block, 1" back from the cover, starting at the top of the block.
It sure looks to me like a head gasket, but I am not ruling out another problem like cam seal, and the oil seeping over to where it is running down the block.
There is no warranty, it expired 50,000 miles ago, it was a 2 year 200,000 mile.
I only spent $9,000 on this truck, and actually expected something like this to happen.
I have a few options:
1. Replace the head gasket,(and whatever else looks bad when I pull the head)
2.Go for a factory rebuilt (2 year/200,000 mile warr. same boat I'm in right now)
3.Hurricane in S. Florida has a 430/470/ DD60 for $5,900 that will bolt right in.
Since the truck already had an in frame, I will probably just do the head gasket and run this truck for a while longer.
Has anyone ever done a head gasket before? what I need to know if it is just a remove and replace kind of repair, or are there special tools involved.
It sure looks to me like a head gasket, but I am not ruling out another problem like cam seal, and the oil seeping over to where it is running down the block.
There is no warranty, it expired 50,000 miles ago, it was a 2 year 200,000 mile.
I only spent $9,000 on this truck, and actually expected something like this to happen.
I have a few options:
1. Replace the head gasket,(and whatever else looks bad when I pull the head)
2.Go for a factory rebuilt (2 year/200,000 mile warr. same boat I'm in right now)
3.Hurricane in S. Florida has a 430/470/ DD60 for $5,900 that will bolt right in.
Since the truck already had an in frame, I will probably just do the head gasket and run this truck for a while longer.
Has anyone ever done a head gasket before? what I need to know if it is just a remove and replace kind of repair, or are there special tools involved.
#4
Since it's an overhead cam, you have to deal with the cam gear train, and it's a bugger to do without the specials tools, pullers and fixtures required to do the job right. If you mess up the geartrain, you've really got a big problem!
I'd take by the shop and have them take a look at it. If it's just the cam seal, I think they've developed a method to repair that without a big teardown.
I've got one with the same leak, oil follows the block down from the front, where the head sits on the block. Very difficult to see just where it comes from.
I'd take by the shop and have them take a look at it. If it's just the cam seal, I think they've developed a method to repair that without a big teardown.
I've got one with the same leak, oil follows the block down from the front, where the head sits on the block. Very difficult to see just where it comes from.
#5
Mr. Bighead , 09-13-2006 08:27 PM
I've never removed the head from a detroit, but I've run the overhead and I've replaced football seals (the seal for the cam thrust plate). If you're certain that the leak is at the top of the block, then it's not the football seal. That seals the thrust plate to the front of the head and the front cam cap.
Removing the head will be easy enough if you have a hoist to pick it up. You'll need to consult a manual to find out how to time the gears. I've never done that on a detroit. I don't remember if there is room to get to the teeth to mark them. I know you'll need a special puller to press the cam gear and thrust plate on and off. Once you get the head installed, you'll have to run the overhead. If it has jakes, you'll need a set of shorter rocker arm bolts (for an engine without jakes). You have to bolt the rockers down and run the overhead on them first. You'll need whichever injector height gauge it calls for on the valve cover. Then you take out some of the bolts and use the longer bolts to install the jakes. Then you adjust the lash on the jakes.
I'm only a halfass detroit mechanic. There might be some stuff I'm forgetting.
Removing the head will be easy enough if you have a hoist to pick it up. You'll need to consult a manual to find out how to time the gears. I've never done that on a detroit. I don't remember if there is room to get to the teeth to mark them. I know you'll need a special puller to press the cam gear and thrust plate on and off. Once you get the head installed, you'll have to run the overhead. If it has jakes, you'll need a set of shorter rocker arm bolts (for an engine without jakes). You have to bolt the rockers down and run the overhead on them first. You'll need whichever injector height gauge it calls for on the valve cover. Then you take out some of the bolts and use the longer bolts to install the jakes. Then you adjust the lash on the jakes.
I'm only a halfass detroit mechanic. There might be some stuff I'm forgetting.
The leak is definitly coming from the head gasket.
I ordered the CD version of the shop manual, and electric component manual.
They should be here in a few days.
I have a hoist to lift the head,I'll let you know about the timing gear clearance for marking as I go.
Where can I get a fan clutch for this thing, the local dealer wants $600.00 for it.
I ordered the CD version of the shop manual, and electric component manual.
They should be here in a few days.
I have a hoist to lift the head,I'll let you know about the timing gear clearance for marking as I go.
Where can I get a fan clutch for this thing, the local dealer wants $600.00 for it.
Just to update if anyone ever has this problem in the future,
The oil leak was in the left front right where the head turns to go behind the (timing gear cover).
I pulled off the valve cover and re-torqued the head,.....walla,...oil leak gone.
I suppose that the head was not torqued properly when the in-frame was done 100,000 miles ago. Lucky for me, it was a simple quick fix.
Now to fix the other stuff.
Loud air compressor
A/C compressor mounting bolts
Alternator is out of alignment (eats 1 belt everytime I put 2 on)
Other than that this old 9400 os running great
The oil leak was in the left front right where the head turns to go behind the (timing gear cover).
I pulled off the valve cover and re-torqued the head,.....walla,...oil leak gone.
I suppose that the head was not torqued properly when the in-frame was done 100,000 miles ago. Lucky for me, it was a simple quick fix.
Now to fix the other stuff.
Loud air compressor
A/C compressor mounting bolts
Alternator is out of alignment (eats 1 belt everytime I put 2 on)
Other than that this old 9400 os running great
