Finally got some "Ranger and Me" time. I got a new Optima "Red-Top" and figure I'd prelube the engine (bump starter w/ coil unplugged to relube engine) and try to start it. Well, it started, first try! Not bad for sitting on the side of the house, untouched for 6 months!
I let it warm up to operating temps (burn off all the moisture in the oil, etc) and tried blipping the throttle a couple times to listen to that aweful Kazoo sound I had, it stumbled, but the kazoo was gone!!!
Not only that, but I was hitting 4-5 lbs of boost each time (best at altitude was 3). - PFM! - The head gaskets had resealed! Now, before anyone starts on me, I know I'm on borrowed time, but what a break! I had no idea how I was going to get the truck in the garage since my driveway (actually, my entire property) is a 20-30% grade. Now I can just drive it in the garage!

Well, I figure, "since it's running..." I would swap some parts and see if I can fine tune the S/C, since I had a major altitude change (4,000 ft to 50ft). I have always had a slight acceleration stumble (rich), but figured it was a good safety net. I swapped the modified factory '94 MAF and harness for the Pro-M MAF and '98 harness (a separate story!), and made a better set up for the PCV/IAC than what I have now. Idle was off, but the test drive was fun! The engine now revs instantly, and pulls pretty hard at high RPM. The bottom end is still a little weak, but that is from 31" tires on 3:73's. The test drive also reveiled 6 to 7 lbs boost. Now, once I get the PCV/IAC issue fixed (current set up is a band-aid), it should idle below 1,000 rpms and I'll be a happy camper!
I will now be able to drive the truck in to the garage, fix the head gaskets, replace the timing chain and water pump, and start the engine, ALL READY TUNED.

Someone's smiling down on me... :beer:

sweeet suff i didn't know that they could re seal themselfs that is great at least for not best of luck with the tuning

Sounds like you got a cracked head and at low engine temps it's not that bad but drive it around for a bit and it will open back up. My advise is to have them checked when you pull them off, you might find your hidden leak ;).

Later Doug904

...working on a newer set of heads to install ('98's). Trying to find someone (local) who can "o-ring" them. Straight checked OK, will have pressure checked while in the shop. Just going to hand lap the valves and leave it at that.
Don't know about a crack, there is no water loss, or anything, just vented to atmosphere. Strange...

hey boss i noticed in your signature that you have 60rwhp with a supercharged 3.0 now i know the 3.0 isnt the strongest engine but comeone 60 hp with a charger it not that much of a dog :)

jeff

It is with blown head gaskets! At 4 psi boost, I was around 200RWHP. I think I'll be just over 205RWHP with good head gaskets running the 6-7psi boost I saw on the test run.

Good to hear that your truck is running again.

1998 3.0L heads are at the shop: Hot tank, Pressure test, Straight check, Magnaflux, Resurface - $75 per.
Then they get the chambers polished, opened (to lower compression) and cc'd in my garage. Sorry, but $40 a hole to cc is too steep for my wallet.
Then the DZK007 "tiny" pulley goes on the Franken-charger....

Any chance you'll be taking it to a chasis dyno after all of this??? I'd love to see the results and how they matched up to the whipple.

not to give you more to think about. But they changed the heads a little in mid 98 for the new head bolt design. the later ones take thiner longer bolts. I really couldn't tell the differance. But they say there is. I ran mine on the dyno yesterday and it was 120 hp n/a and 174 on nos. It ran lean on both pulls. more tuning and addons.
FELGAR_1

Originally posted by Wed Turner
Any chance you'll be taking it to a chasis dyno after all of this??? I'd love to see the results and how they matched up to the whipple.
Yes, and it won't. I like the Eaton M62, but it is an antiquated piece of performance gear. An M90 would give it a run, but the M62 won't even come close to the numbers that Doug904 is already producing. I'm going Whipple as soon as possible...