HI,

I've got a 1994 V-6 3.8 conv. The shop tells me that the head gasket is blown and coolant is in the number 4 cyl.
My son-in-law, who wroked at Ford dealers in college, said that a number of Ford 3.8 engines had this problem. His T-bird had it.
The Ford dealer here didn't know about any TSB's curent on Ford recalling or replacing these gaskets.
They, the dealer, want an arm and leg to rebuild the heads and gakets. They say if you replace the head gaskets, you should grid the valves. That's the big cost, my car only has 50K on it. I only use it in the summer.
Any help on only replacing the gaskets, plugs etc and not over a thousand dollars.

Thanks,

 

I agree that a valve job should be done while it's apart but with 50K on it I doubt it really 'needs' one so just have them replace the gaskets. I would at least inspect and clean the valves though to get rid of any carbon build up.

 

All you need is gaskets, 50k is low. If you are at all mechanically inclined i would do it yourself, or son-in-law.... Its well known for 94/95 to have that problem

 

you will need to mill the heads, also use 99+ MLS headgaskets with new bolts/studs

 

Not nessecaraly(SP), 50k on it. yes on 99+ Gaskets

 

why not have them done anyways while their off and save the headache of maybe they need to be done

 

Yes, the 1995 are notorious for head gasket failure, as I have had to have mine replaced, but did not know to use 99+ gaskets. We didnt do the valves as my car has alot of miles and I do not want to put any more money into it than I have to....so its probably up to you whether you wanna do that or not.