DYI - Head Gasket?

[Lotekinc]

Is there any info on 2.5 Duratec head gasket R&R? Recent overheating and gasket failure requires teardown. Trying to decide weather to fix or replace w/used engine. Ford wants $1400. 80K mile Cougar would be shame to scrap.

Thanks,

L Simons

[serialplague]

dont listen to me :thumbsdn:

[kustomcougar]

ya i say do the 3L because you pretty much have to take the engine out to even take the heads off, so while the engine is out put a 3L in there

[Jorgen]

All you people telling everyone under the sun to do a 3.0. It might not be right for everyone all the time. The cost to drop a junk yard motor in or to rebuild a stocker can be drastically less than doing a 3.0.

If I were you I'd start by getting a manual (I prefer the ford CD which can be had on ebay) which will breakdown the removal, repair and reinstall. If you think the work listed is within your abilities (and tool supply as if you need to buy tools the price to rebuild can sky rocket) then I would start searching around here and on ebay for the parts you need as you can often get many parts for less than the dealership or parts store costs. Depending on machine work needed the cost of doing a full rebuild can vary drastically. I woudl personally make my mind up able swap or rebuild after seeing how the inside of the engine looks.

If you do want to up the power output but also up the cost and likely time to get the insatall done you can look into a 3.0l. Start by reading the 3.0l inforamtion in that section on this forum, there is a lot to read and you should read a lot before asking people questions as most everything you need to know is shown there.

[B3NN3TT]

get a 3litre :thumbsup:

ya i say do the 3L

Uh... yeah. That wasn't the question, fellas. Not everybody is a mad tyte street racer...

Scot - well-said.

The head gasket job is not at all easy or quick on an engine with dual overhead cams, as well as a tight engine bay. Follow Jorgen's instructions to evaluate the magnitude of the job, and your ability to perform it.

[Blackcoog]

Is there any info on 2.5 Duratec head gasket R&R? Recent overheating and gasket failure requires teardown. Trying to decide weather to fix or replace w/used engine. Ford wants $1400. 80K mile Cougar would be shame to scrap.

Thanks,

L Simons

$1400 isn't that bad to fix head gaskets. You'd be crazy to try to do it while the engine is in the car so plan on removing the engine to fix this.

Sell the Cougar on here if you decide not to fix it. Lots of people are looking for blown cars to drop new motors into.

Chris