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Thread: Leaking head or headgasket, what else to do while in there?

  1. #1
    Hybrid booster
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    Leaking head or headgasket, what else to do while in there?

    Hey guys,

    My van unfortunately has a tiny coolant leak in the engine, and it tested positive for fumes in the coolant. While I'm in there I might as well get some performance mods done. The head may be cracked, or the headgasket. If its the head, what upgrade should I do? ported head?

    Basically what would be good to do with the topend off? On a budget of course.

    -Jefo

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    Buy my stuff!!!!!!!!!!! :O) Turbo Mopar Vendor turbovanmanČ's Avatar
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    Re: Leaking head or headgasket, what else to do while in there?

    Wow, hmmmmmmm, more performance and a budget, lol, pick one,

    Stick with a swirl head, clean up the ports a bit, gasket match but unless your are wanting to really turn up the wick, don't port.
    Stock cam, 88 roller TBI or my S60 cam, PT lifters, new valve springs, TII turbo with braided coolant and oil lines, IC. If you can find a 2 piece intake, I would install that. MBC and maybe a new cal, but I would highly recommend at least a narrow band air fuel gauge or a wideband gauge.

    Doing the above should be reasonable and pick up some performance.
    1989 FWD Turbo Caravan-2.5 TIII, GT35R, auto, a/c, cruise, pwr windows/locks, fully loaded with interior and ran with full exhaust. RETIRED FOR A FEW YEARS! 12.57@104 :O)
    1984 Chev Getaway van, 6.2 Diesel with a remote mounted turbo setup burning WMO-For sale.
    2003 GSW 2.0L TDI, auto, fully loaded, modified, 360K-wife's.
    2004 GSW TDI, 5 speed, fully loaded, modified.

    Aurora ignition wires for sale. Link to info

    Super60 roller cams or custom/billet cams. Link to info

  3. #3
    turbo addict
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    Re: Leaking head or headgasket, what else to do while in there?

    Unless it was a numbered car, personally, I'd get out of the used up cracking 8V head scene and go for a neon head hybrid.... which could be cheapish if you do 99% of the work... but is more involved.
    DD1: '02 T&C Ltd, 3.8 AWD. DD2: '15 Versa Note SV, replacing.. DDx: '14 Versa Note SV << freshly killded :( ....... Projects: '88 Voyager 3.0, Auto with shift kit, timing advance, walker sound FX muffler on 15" pumpers wrapped in 215/65/R15 H rated Nexens.... and a '95 phord escort wagon PnP head << Both may need to go :( ..... I like 3.0s ... so??? ... stop looking at me like I've got two heads!

  4. #4
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    Re: Leaking head or headgasket, what else to do while in there?

    What $$$$ amount is the budget?

  5. #5
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    Re: Leaking head or headgasket, what else to do while in there?

    I'm not looking to do too much, other than the headwork, if it is in fact cracked. And my goal is to see what that tiny mitsubishi (might port it) on 16psi (with all the supporting mods) can do in terms of 1/4 mile on a full weight van.

  6. #6
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    Re: Leaking head or headgasket, what else to do while in there?

    You lost me at Mitsubishi, just do a stock gasket replacement and be happy with a running car. Really no point to do anything performance to the head because it will choke by the Mitsubishi.

    16psi on a full weight van with a Mitsubishi will net you 16s. Unless you have drag tires, then maybe you'll see 15s.

    Also, you can't really run 16psi reliably without going 3 bar map sensor, custom car and wideband sesnor. Just run 14psi and be happy with the stock setup.

  7. #7
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    Re: Leaking head or headgasket, what else to do while in there?

    Went to the shop and it turns out the head is cracked between all of the intake/exhaust valves. There may be more I didn't check other places. A new stock head is on the way, along with a mopar performance head gasket.

  8. #8
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    Re: Leaking head or headgasket, what else to do while in there?

    should the turbo oil/coolant lines be replaced when the head is changed?

  9. #9
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    Re: Leaking head or headgasket, what else to do while in there?

    Spending superfluous amounts of cash on TMs angers the gods.... but if you can get them for free or cheap...
    DD1: '02 T&C Ltd, 3.8 AWD. DD2: '15 Versa Note SV, replacing.. DDx: '14 Versa Note SV << freshly killded :( ....... Projects: '88 Voyager 3.0, Auto with shift kit, timing advance, walker sound FX muffler on 15" pumpers wrapped in 215/65/R15 H rated Nexens.... and a '95 phord escort wagon PnP head << Both may need to go :( ..... I like 3.0s ... so??? ... stop looking at me like I've got two heads!

  10. #10
    turbo addict
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    Quote Originally Posted by jefo View Post
    Went to the shop and it turns out the head is cracked between all of the intake/exhaust valves. There may be more I didn't check other places. A new stock head is on the way, along with a mopar performance head gasket.
    Those cracks are normal and usually never cause problems but you might have other cracks.
    Ian Adams Function>Form 1990 shadow scrapped, too rusty:( 1991 Spirit R/T Scrapped, parts sold:( 1989 Turbo Caravan Daily beater with built-[I]ish [/I]​engine slowly evolving into weekend turbo beater.

  11. #11
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    Re: Leaking head or headgasket, what else to do while in there?

    Quote Originally Posted by RoadWarrior222 View Post
    Spending superfluous amounts of cash on TMs angers the gods.... but if you can get them for free or cheap...
    trust me, I don't like spending lots of cash but I want to prepare my engine for racing.

    ---------- Post added at 12:15 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:13 AM ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by shackwrrr View Post
    Those cracks are normal and usually never cause problems but you might have other cracks.
    I will go to the shop and thoroughly check the head. They have ordered the new one, but if its fine with just the cracks between the valves then no need for a new head. Could have been the gasket, as it came off in pieces so they were unable to tell if there was a break in it.

  12. #12
    Buy my stuff!!!!!!!!!!! :O) Turbo Mopar Vendor turbovanmanČ's Avatar
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    Re: Leaking head or headgasket, what else to do while in there?

    Quote Originally Posted by jefo View Post

    I will go to the shop and thoroughly check the head. They have ordered the new one, but if its fine with just the cracks between the valves then no need for a new head. Could have been the gasket, as it came off in pieces so they were unable to tell if there was a break in it.
    Those cracks are 100% normal and Dodge even issued a bulletin on this issue. If your machine shop can't pressure test the head then find another one. They shouldn't have to guess.

    ---------- Post added at 10:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:32 AM ----------

    Quote Originally Posted by jefo View Post
    should the turbo oil/coolant lines be replaced when the head is changed?
    I would, the vendors have really nice braided kits.
    1989 FWD Turbo Caravan-2.5 TIII, GT35R, auto, a/c, cruise, pwr windows/locks, fully loaded with interior and ran with full exhaust. RETIRED FOR A FEW YEARS! 12.57@104 :O)
    1984 Chev Getaway van, 6.2 Diesel with a remote mounted turbo setup burning WMO-For sale.
    2003 GSW 2.0L TDI, auto, fully loaded, modified, 360K-wife's.
    2004 GSW TDI, 5 speed, fully loaded, modified.

    Aurora ignition wires for sale. Link to info

    Super60 roller cams or custom/billet cams. Link to info

  13. #13
    Hybrid booster Turbo Mopar Contributor
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    Re: Leaking head or headgasket, what else to do while in there?

    Double check that the oil restrictor is in place.

  14. #14
    boostaholic
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    Re: Leaking head or headgasket, what else to do while in there?

    Might as well put a larger turbo on if its gonna be down.

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