Ford Crown Victoria Forum : “Head Gasket on a 351 Windsor”
Head Gasket on a 351 Windsor
It's actually an '85 but facebook won't let me be that specific.
I'm losing coolant, and I thought it might be a radiator leak, but due to the lack of a puddle, it's been suggested that it could be a head Gasket. The car tends to smell dreadful outside and smokes sometimes when I park, and shut it off...
Does anyone know what it takes to change the head gaskets on a Carburated, 351 windsor?
It is not a simple task but you will need to determine which side needs changed by checking spark plugs or checking compression in each cylinder. It might be be better to just change both. You will have to remove the carb and aircleaner, followed by intake and exhaust manafolds. make sure to drain coolant, then remove rocker cover and head. Replace your head gasket, torque head bolts and pretty much reassemble from there. Be sure to change intake and exhaust manafold gaskets durring this process.
THat does sound like a right pain in the ass...
I would change both regardless becuase of the age of the car.
Thanks for the help, I'll have to think it over... I'm hoping it's just the rad... My oil looks fine so I'm thinking it could be as simple as soldering the rad and going abouts my day