I’d think a machine shop is mandatory on aluminum man. You ever heard of a 4.7 HG crapping out alone? I haven’t.
4.7L Head Gasket issue @168k miles
Looking for your thoughts. No, I do not plan to trade. Why? I am not a fan of the two car payment plan. Unless you have a great deal for me. 
When we were driving this past weekend, I noticed the coolant temp staying a bit warm. Like 204-206. It's really not warm enough for the truck to see that. AND, it seemed to smell a bit like burnt coolant if I didn't know better. After we got home I filled the overflow tank...which was empty. So I figured we were losing coolant. After everything cooled, the tank level had gone down a bit...and I noticed some fluid had leaked onto the ground somewhere at or just after the right front tire, but under the side of the engine. Topped the tank back off, and when I drove the next day, sitting at a light I noticed a little steam coming out the right side of the hood. I thought "that can't be good." So, I figure that head gasket is letting go.
I can replace it myself. But, at that point, I figure I should also replace the other head gasket since I'll already have the intake off and everything else out of the way. Here's the dilemma: what else should I replace? The head gasket kit comes with valve stem seals, so that is in order. Guess I can clean the carbon off the heads even thought they'll be dirty within a month or two.
I don't know how far I should go into the heads. Should I replace the valve springs? The valves? I've had HO cams in it for 10 years, and can tell it floats the valves at 6 grand. I just try to avoid that engine speed. sigh Should I bother with getting the heads checked for straightness? I've got 168,000 miles on this machine. I'm not really worried about resale; since it's a 2007 it doesn't have a lot of resale left anyway. I still use it as a truck I'd say routinely; not daily.
I don't even want to know what a dealer will charge me for head gaskets. Yikes. I can get a head gasket kit and 16 head bolts for $225 I think from Summit. That's probably 1/4 of their price.
Thanks for your inputs.
When we were driving this past weekend, I noticed the coolant temp staying a bit warm. Like 204-206. It's really not warm enough for the truck to see that. AND, it seemed to smell a bit like burnt coolant if I didn't know better. After we got home I filled the overflow tank...which was empty. So I figured we were losing coolant. After everything cooled, the tank level had gone down a bit...and I noticed some fluid had leaked onto the ground somewhere at or just after the right front tire, but under the side of the engine. Topped the tank back off, and when I drove the next day, sitting at a light I noticed a little steam coming out the right side of the hood. I thought "that can't be good." So, I figure that head gasket is letting go.
I can replace it myself. But, at that point, I figure I should also replace the other head gasket since I'll already have the intake off and everything else out of the way. Here's the dilemma: what else should I replace? The head gasket kit comes with valve stem seals, so that is in order. Guess I can clean the carbon off the heads even thought they'll be dirty within a month or two.
I don't know how far I should go into the heads. Should I replace the valve springs? The valves? I've had HO cams in it for 10 years, and can tell it floats the valves at 6 grand. I just try to avoid that engine speed. sigh Should I bother with getting the heads checked for straightness? I've got 168,000 miles on this machine. I'm not really worried about resale; since it's a 2007 it doesn't have a lot of resale left anyway. I still use it as a truck I'd say routinely; not daily.
I don't even want to know what a dealer will charge me for head gaskets. Yikes. I can get a head gasket kit and 16 head bolts for $225 I think from Summit. That's probably 1/4 of their price.
Thanks for your inputs.
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