• Welcome to The Truck Stop! We see you haven't REGISTERED yet.

    Your truck knowledge is missing!
    • Registration is FREE , all we need is your birthday and email. (We don't share ANY data with ANYONE)
    • We have tons of knowledge here for your diesel truck!
    • Post your own topics and reply to existing threads to help others out!
    • NO ADS! The site is fully functional and ad free!
    CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

    Problems registering? Click here to contact us!

    Already registered, but need a PASSWORD RESET? CLICK HERE TO RESET YOUR PASSWORD!

blew up my chevy....

Deere Freek

Deere Freek

Recruit
Messages
333
Reaction score
1
Location
Hastings, MI
Well.... i'm ashamed to say it but i blew the head gasket on my chevy and it's pretty much me to blame. Pulling a load of trailers in a strong headwind and glanced down to see the temp guage a little over 210, didn't give it much thought, let it cool down right away then i heard what sounded like an exhaust leak. Got the load delivered and popped the hood and there is all sorts of $*#( comming out the drivers valve cover, then the fuel pump went out about the same time... when it rains it pours... Finally i said enough is enough and had my wife go get the 1999 F-350 that i've been drooling over to come get me and the chevy. Freshly rebuilt 7.3 and new tranny with a billet torque converter some other goodies and a bully dog chip 4x4 with add a leafs and airbags all ready to go. 270,000 miles. The truck has so much power it's stupid, I thought my truck was doing pretty good...

Anyway anybody know of a good shop in michigan to put a set of head gaskets injectors and glow plugs in michigan?? got a quote from a shop in Lansing for 1600 for just the gaskets and mill the heads. I' thinking ARP head studs and maybe some other things. i'm sure you guys have some ideas too.
 
A little OT but PM me, I'd like to ask you some questions about the 7.3 and the upgrades.....I also have a 94.5 F450 Powerstroke, like you said, night and day compared to the 6.5, but I just love that Chevy......I "think" they are both gen 1,......Late 94 to 99.

Sorry to hear about the trouble your having with the 6.5, but you've been working that thing pretty hard.....Hav'nt you?
 
I wouldn't bother milling the block. Check the bottom end for cracks before putting that kind of cash into it. You can get a 6.2 take out engine for less than 1600.

That said you should see if a local forum member could do the work for you vs. a shop.

With the cooling system on that truck - something failed for the temp to spike like that. Possible gasket was already gone and causing the temp spike. Or a head crack etc to cause that...

In any case working the 6.5 hard has had me in your shoes often. But I'd rather push a Chevy than drive a Ford!
 
The only thing I did not like about my 7.3 was the ride was rough, dam good motor.

Teds for a new replacement 6.5 motor & sell or reuse what ya need from yrs. I agree with the reply above try to find a member to help or perform the swap.
 
I know a guy with a shop, he did one a little while ago. My guess is it would be about 1200 to have him do it. If you want I may have time to get it done. Only problem is I live across the state from you.
 
I can haul it anywhere. It's been a good truck and i hate to get rid of it. I don't really have a time frame that it has to be done just know i want to get it fixed. I thought about doing it myself but don't have near enough time. It's paid for and makes an awesome daily driver. I don't know if i'll be able to pull with it after owning the F-350 lol.
 
I've pulled with mine after owning a 2008 Duramax. I could not wait to turn up the fuel and boost. I just leave a little earlier...
 
Deere Freek said:
Well.... i'm ashamed to say it but i blew the head gasket on my chevy and it's pretty much me to blame. Pulling a load of trailers in a strong headwind and glanced down to see the temp guage a little over 210, didn't give it much thought, let it cool down right away then i heard what sounded like an exhaust leak. Got the load delivered and popped the hood and there is all sorts of $*#( comming out the drivers valve cover, then the fuel pump went out about the same time... when it rains it pours... Finally i said enough is enough and had my wife go get the 1999 F-350 that i've been drooling over to come get me and the chevy. Freshly rebuilt 7.3 and new tranny with a billet torque converter some other goodies and a bully dog chip 4x4 with add a leafs and airbags all ready to go. 270,000 miles. The truck has so much power it's stupid, I thought my truck was doing pretty good...

Anyway anybody know of a good shop in michigan to put a set of head gaskets injectors and glow plugs in michigan?? got a quote from a shop in Lansing for 1600 for just the gaskets and mill the heads. I' thinking ARP head studs and maybe some other things. i'm sure you guys have some ideas too.
Click to expand...

Wonder if Eric Merchant works on 6.5's?? Merchantautomotive.com




Sent from my iPod Touch using Tapatalk, as if anybody actually gave a sh!t if it was a desktop, laptop, crackberry, I-phone or freakin' morse code or for that matter smoke signals... :)
 
I've called merchant 3 times, left 2 messages with the receptionist and one on the answering machine. And this was about 2-3 weeks ago. I've heard nothing but good about them but can't get ahold of anyone for some reason......
 
My spouse tried to kill mine today. The alternator dropped the pulley nut. She drove it home with little brakes and no power steering. I can't understand it.

The belt's woven into the fan blades, it's low on coolant and the batteries are getting a charge right now. It started and sounded OK and the oil is normal. We'll see.
 
I found both the lock washer and the nut in the frame crossmember. A new belt and it's back together. We'll see if there's any damage.
 
Dan Hunter said:
My spouse tried to kill mine today. The alternator dropped the pulley nut. She drove it home with little brakes and no power steering. I can't understand it.

The belt's woven into the fan blades, it's low on coolant and the batteries are getting a charge right now. It started and sounded OK and the oil is normal. We'll see.
Click to expand...


Some of these engines seem to take a ton of abuse and they keep going. Both my trucks did and they both run strong still. One belonged to a construction company. They never changed the oil and always had $5 an hour pot heads driving it like a bat out of hell. The other truck was run an entire summer with half a radiator. The guy would stop at lakes or a ditch full of water to refill it. It seems to be the luck of the draw with these engines.
 
Michaeljp86 said:
Some of these engines seem to take a ton of abuse and they keep going. Both my trucks did and they both run strong still. One belonged to a construction company. They never changed the oil and always had $5 an hour pot heads driving it like a bat out of hell. The other truck was run an entire summer with half a radiator. The guy would stop at lakes or a ditch full of water to refill it. It seems to be the luck of the draw with these engines.
Click to expand...

AMEN to that Brother........Ain't that the truth!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top