Blew a Head - Questions ..

[Spidey]

So the mechanic was replacing my intake manifold (lovely cracked plastic) on my 99 GT with the new metal/plastic one, he informed me that I also cracked one of my heads.

I did a search and got some good info, but I'm looking for some more specific, any help is appreciated.

1. I know the car takes Windsor heads, but should I get Romeo (will they work?) heads instead?

2. Any recommend places to buy them? Used or new? Cheapest places I've seen are $425/ea (new)

3. Any place just to buy the head itself without the cams? I haven't found any and from what I understand, it's just the outer wall that has a crack. Doesn't sound like it'll be repairable, but the cams should work.

Since the guy is going to be working on this general area of the car, I figured I'd might as well replace the stock headers. Any thoughts on good brands? MAC?

 

[RandyStinchcomb]

ummm, how did the head crack? sounds fishy to me, Id ask to sea where it's cracked...if you do need a head(s) stay wth the Windsor's, so you dont have to change-out the front cover bolts/studs and the cam covers....

 

[Spidey]

ummm, how did the head crack? sounds fishy to me, Id ask to sea where it's cracked...if you do need a head(s) stay wth the Windsor's, so you dont have to change-out the front cover bolts/studs and the cam covers....

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to be a scam. The guy was doing us a favor (doing the intake swap for $100, I buy parts). He's not charging me extra for this. I just have to get the parts for him.

 

[RandyStinchcomb]

Unfortunately, it doesn't appear to be a scam. The guy was doing us a favor (doing the intake swap for $100, I buy parts). He's not charging me extra for this. I just have to get the parts for him.

ok, whatever, I've never heard of a modular head cracking

 

[Matt's 03 GT]

Spidey... if you don't know Randy is the best ford parts guy. He knows these cars in and out... If he hasn't seen one crack before just be carefull. Perhaps you can get a second opinion???

 

[Spidey]

Spidey... if you don't know Randy is the best ford parts guy. He knows these cars in and out... If he hasn't seen one crack before just be carefull. Perhaps you can get a second opinion???

I don't doubt that he know's his stuff. I do know the car overheated on numerous occasions, which would lead me to believe.

I'm going through second-hand information, so the mechanic is supposed to double-check it. From what I've been told, he didn't notice the crack until he got it all buttoned back up and did a water test on it. He noticed the water mixing with oil apparently. Does that sound remotely plausible?

 

[Matt's 03 GT]

I don't doubt that he know's his stuff. I do know the car overheated on numerous occasions, which would lead me to believe.

I'm going through second-hand information, so the mechanic is supposed to double-check it. From what I've been told, he didn't notice the crack until he got it all buttoned back up and did a water test on it. He noticed the water mixing with oil apparently. Does that sound remotely plausible?

Water in the oil would point to head gaskets as far as I know... I am always hesitant about mechanics who do favors like this... It always makes me nervous and when they come up with stuff like this I tend to run away and have my car towed somewhere else.

If the head realy is cracked you should be able to get a head from the junkyard. Through search I am sure you could find all of the vehicles that had this specific motor. You may just need to swap cams if the head is out of a different model... just a thought.

 

[ADRENLN]

i sold both my pi heads on ebay for about $350. you should be able to find used that are perfectly fine and cheap. they are all over the place from guys stepping up to ported heads...just look around. check the classifieds hear as well.

 

[eliteJAE]

go take a look at the heads for yourself, see if you can spot the crack as well. windsors are just as good as romeo's as far as i know, so if you have windsor engine then use windsor heads. if you dont mind used heads check out a junkyard or the national classifieds here on SN, i remember i was looking for a pair a while back and found some real cheap.

i dont know if these doods are legit, but they have a 1-800 number to call to.

http://usedautoparts.everdrive.com/partdetails.aspx?sku=105327

 

[Superhereaux]

I'm going through second-hand information, so the mechanic is supposed to double-check it. From what I've been told, he didn't notice the crack until he got it all buttoned back up and did a water test on it. He noticed the water mixing with oil apparently. Does that sound remotely plausible?

sounds more like a blown head gasket, that would be very plausible if the car's been overheated

head down there and take a look for yourself

 

[deftsound]

jb weld time

 

[SilverBullet00]

sounds more like a blown head gasket, that would be very plausible if the car's been overheated

head down there and take a look for yourself

Sounds like the head gasket to me as well. I'd take the heads off the car and take them to a cylinder head repair shop and have them pressure tested and checked out. You might have a warped head as well...