by geeves » Sat Apr 26, 2014 7:10 am
It is the 3.1 diesel? If so no worries about timing as the cam is in the block. You do need to torque correctly which requires torquing to a set value then turning an angle in 2 steps. I would do it and Im not a mechanic but would buy a better torque wrench than I have now and an angle gauge so $200 in tools just to start. A gasket set is about 150 and the head I did on the wizard was 1600 but all the precombution chambers etc have to be swapped over. If you get a garage to do it and the heads shot you are looking 2K plus for the job.
Whats your turbo like? If it has a whistle on shut down expect to spend another 1100 in the not too distant future.
Sometimes you have to be pragmatic when considering big repairs on old trucks.
When I did the turbo and head on the wizard I got trapped as we didnt know about the head crack as it hadnt started to leak and only found it because the head had to be removed to remove broken studs. Even then the mechanic wasnt expecting a crack test to find anything. But it did. Car already in bits new turbo bought and paid for Choice of tow car to wreckers or finish repair. 4500 on a car I bought for 4000. If I sold it tomorrow I would hope for 4000 tops
Sanding your knuckles before starting work can help. That way you cant skin them