Blown Head Gasket

[AUTOSHO]

I've read through a few of the other threads referencing this problem, but I thought I'd check in to see if there is any new information available about options related to head gasket replacement.

My '99 V6 with 75,000 miles has just been diagnosed by the dealer as having a blown head gasket or gaskets (and I noticed some frothy coolant, too), and they want about $2,500 to do the work. If we're going to go through the trouble of taking everything apart, I want to learn about reasonable and cost-effective options to improve performance and/or future reliability.

This car has pinged at throttle tip-in since new, and after reading the manual that said it was normal, I didn't think much of it - until now. It didn't matter what flavor of fuel I've used, either.

Anyone care to offer some suggestions?

Thanks!

[Moraki]

Its not that hard to replace the head gasket on the cougar. You will need a full haines or similar manual for all the steps. And youll need a torque wrench, almost every bolt your going to be putting back on HAS to be torqued. Some even in a rather odd way, the torque to yield head bolts come to mind. You could easily do it in a weekend. You will need the head gasket, head bolts, and gasket sealant(for the valve cover gaskets). Maybe some other things... depending on where you live a garage, heated possibly, would be helpfull. And a nice clean and clear workbench would be VERY helpfull, when removing all of the internals from the heads and keeping them all in order. Mixing them up is a NO NO.

[AUTOSHO]

Moraki - You over-estimate my abilities - or at least my patience to do the work required. I have a friend with a repair shop who would likely be able to do the work at a discounted rate, but while he's at it, I thought I'd see what else makes sense. I read about a 3.0 short block option, and I suppose some of the SVT Contour parts might bolt on?

[Moraki]

Well maybe some one close buy could help ... LA is a bit of a drive for me :)

3.0L isnt reall a short block its another VERY similar duratec. Removing the heads does not require pulling the engine. So sure if you want to do a 3L swap thats cool but its more than you have to do and ALOT more work.

[Rikenbomb]

It actually may be easier to remove the heads with the engine out of the car simply because access to the timing cover is a PITA with the engine in the car. Doable but still a pain, especially with reassembly/timing.

If you are looking to go 3.0L (be it full escape/taurus motor, 2.5/3.0L SVT Hybrid, of full 3.0L oval to split port with SVT goodies) it is an involved project. Contact Buckshot77 as he builds 3.0L engines and are offered at ADC which is in AZ (closest to you). Also visit the 3.0L section on here AND on the CEG forums. You'll have a better understanding of the involvement of the project.

[BobKaBob]

Well maybe some one close buy could help ... LA is a bit of a drive for me :)

3.0L isnt reall a short block its another VERY similar duratec. Removing the heads does not require pulling the engine. So sure if you want to do a 3L swap thats cool but its more than you have to do and ALOT more work.
i wouldn't dream of trying to remove a head in a 6 while in the car... theres only a few iches from the fenderwell to the front cover, literally, you have about 4 inches to time the motor back up with... may be more steps, but pulling the whole drivetrain is the way to go on these cars if you want to do it right the first time

[Moraki]

i wouldn't dream of trying to remove a head in a 6 while in the car... theres only a few iches from the fenderwell to the front cover, literally, you have about 4 inches to time the motor back up with... may be more steps, but pulling the whole drivetrain is the way to go on these cars if you want to do it right the first time

Slurpee and Sonza retimed a cougar with it in the car :shrug: Yes it would be easier out of the car. And he may have more problems, many of which may be easier to diagnose with it out side the engine bay. I was just saying IF its just the heads you can do it in the car.