Author Topic: cracked 2.8 heads (Read 868 times)

flash041 · « **on:** August 09, 2012, 09:32:24 PM »

Sooo it was a nice cool day and I decided to drive the Pinto today. Got about 20 miles from home and I noticed the temp gauge reading high and a trail of white smoke behind me! I pulled over to find I threw the fan/alt belt.I called the tow truck and had it towed home. When I got home I put on a new belt and added water. There was no antifreeze in the oil, a good thing!There was white smoke from the exhaust and exhaust coming from the radiator, a bad thing.So I pulled the heads and found crackes in both of them.I located a couple of sets from a local "Pinto Guy" and will get them tomorrow.Then take them to the machine shop to make sure they are ok. So this weekend Ill have to play with my other toys and not the Pinto.

Norman Bagi · « **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2012, 10:53:02 AM »

Ouch!!!!!!

That stinks! I hope she gets up and running soon. Those 2.8 engines are a pain.
Let me know where the cracks were and if you can decifer how it happened. Louises 2.8 was just rebuilt recently and I ported the heads. So I would like to know what to look for.

flash041 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2012, 12:30:29 PM »

Yea Norm they are a pain, but I still like the engine as far as driving it goes, smooth and good power.I can see a crack between the intake and exhaust valves. Its pretty clear to see. Each head cracked on the rear most cylinders, # 3 and # 6. I am getting four used heads in a bout an hour , then taking them to the machine shop. Hope to have at least two good ones out of the four.I hva a convertible tour I am doing next weekend. So I will most likley not have it put together till the following week.

flash041 · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2012, 06:03:16 PM »

Dropped four head off at the machine shop, two have cracks, two look usable. They will be ready next week!

ilvmy76 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2012, 11:20:54 AM »

Well Dave hopefully everything will go as smooth as possible. Don't forget there's a complete motor with heads on it down here if you need anything.

flash041 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2012, 05:39:31 PM »

Me too Rick! I will have to plan a weekend to come down to pick up the a/c and mabe a spare set of heads.

ilvmy76 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2012, 05:58:06 PM »

yea just let me know when you get a chance to come down.

Cookieboystoys · « **Reply #7 on:** August 14, 2012, 10:32:07 AM »

fix that wagon Dave! how's it coming?

flash041 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 14, 2012, 03:51:46 PM »

Brian , I called the machine show and the 2nd set of heads have NO cracks!!They should be ready by tomorrow.Takin g the 93 Mustang on a convertible tour this weekend, so Monday ill put it back together.I will have to take it on a 844 mile test drive, say the end of September.What do you think?

Cookieboystoys · « **Reply #9 on:** August 14, 2012, 04:05:47 PM »

Quote from: flash041 on August 14, 2012, 03:51:46 PM

Brian , I called the machine show and the 2nd set of heads have NO cracks!!They should be ready by tomorrow.Takin g the 93 Mustang on a convertible tour this weekend, so Monday ill put it back together.I will have to take it on a 844 mile test drive, say the end of September.What do you think?

EXCELLENT! good to hear you found good parts, enjoy the convertable tour and in the middle of September (14th thru 16th) you want to take that 844 mile test drive all I have to say is.... YIPPY!!!!!!!

flash041 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 16, 2012, 05:37:38 PM »

Got my heads back!! Ill put it back together Sunday or Monday.In addition to the old heads being cracked a couple of exhaust valves had sunken into the heads,the seats wore away.In an earlier post I talked about my exhaust valves tighting up and hanging open. I was told by the machine show that even though it was made for unleaded gas I should run a lead subsitute because there are no hardned insterts, just the casting were hardened.

Pinto5.0 · « **Reply #11 on:** August 17, 2012, 12:13:19 AM »

The cast iron is hardened at the seats? That's a new one on me.

Cookieboystoys · « **Reply #12 on:** August 17, 2012, 07:46:30 AM »

good to hear, let's hope all goes back together smooth and that Pinto is ready for a trip north in September

flash041 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 19, 2012, 09:40:56 PM »

I got back today from a 4 day convertible tour with my Mustang. This eveing i installed the heads and rockers.Hope to finish putting it back together tomorrow night.

flash041 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 20, 2012, 09:26:25 PM »

Back running again!! No other ill effects that I can see now.I plan to take it to Fort Atkinson Cruise Night tomorrow night.

Scott Hamilton · « **Reply #15 on:** August 20, 2012, 09:34:55 PM »

Hey Dave!

I have never worked on the 2.8, always wanted to but stuck with the earlier model 2.0... Always though they would be cool with a 5 speed in a Pinto..
Glad you got the heads back on the car and it's running.. what a job! I put too much lead additive in one of my 2.0's many years ago- screwed up the engine to where I had to pull it and start over... I think it was the lead additive that caused it?, in any case, I shy away from it now.

flash041 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 21, 2012, 10:34:54 PM »

What damage did the additive do? Tonight I went to a cruise night, about 75 miles r/t, running good.

Scott Hamilton · « **Reply #17 on:** August 24, 2012, 10:19:29 PM »

Hey Dave...

I was told that the rings were damaged.On the #4 cylinder...BUT ... I know I gave it excessive lead additive... Over and over again... I had valve train noise I could not adjust out, so I stupidly kept adding and more lead additive.. Until #4 would stop firing and I had to clean the plug. I pulled the head afterward and saw all the oil in #4. The engine rebuilder ended up rebuilding the short block and I sent the head to the machine for new guides. Once everything was put back together she was ok... I went to the stampede right afterward. Had to replace the valve seals when I got back because one popped up and I had smoke when starting...

Honestly I don't know if lead additive did me in or that the engine was on a stand rebuild for 11 years before I put her in and the found the defect... I'm just a little shy of any additive now.

I'm glad you got yours back together- it's always a good feeling when you start it up and she runs well. - really good-

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Author Topic: cracked 2.8 heads (Read 868 times)