Overheating- quick question on 3.4 vs 3.0

[joe strummer]

hey guys- been going over the forum last couple days and can't seem to find the answer to this specific question.

I understand that its pretty common for second gen (3.0) head gaskets to be installed incorrectly on the wrong sides impeding water flow, keeping the thermostat from opening and causing general overheating problems.

Is this the same for the 3.4? If so and the gaskets are installed incorrectly will there be any water flow across the top of the radiator, or will it block the ports entirely?

Also, is there any way to check if the head gaskets are correct without pulling the heads?

thanks so much- Happy New Year

 

[PitbullRescuer]

It should've been real easy to see if they were installed correctly when they were installed. Does your 3.4 have new head gaskets? From what I remember, I don't think you can install them incorrectly. There are locating dowels on the block for the heads, different on either side. The head gasket won't sit down on the block if not correctly orientated from what I recall.

 

[Dan.3]

3.4 block is basically the same as the 3.0 block. I have never heard of overheating issues from installing head gaskets incorrectly, or the gaskets being put on wrong in the first place. Unfortunately you will have to pull the head. Why where the head gaskets replaced?

 

[joe strummer]

Top end was redone by previous owner a few months before I purchased. He indicated head gaskets failed as a result of stuck thermostat and wife failed to notice temp rising.

Long story short, the guy was running a gutted thermostat for some reason (he said he wanted to make sure he never had that happen again on his wife's vehicle) and when I switched to a proper 180 degree thermostat, it failed to open and heated up on a quick drive around the block.

With the gutted thermostat, I have strong water flow across the top of the radiator but the engine runs too cold. With the complete thermostat, I have no water flow and the thermostat seems to remain shut (I tested on stove before install)

I'm wondering if the head gaskets are installed improperly and either blocking some internal water port that is otherwise open with a gutted thermostat, or causing air in the system in the area around the thermostat which would keep it from opening.

I've gone through the basics (radiator, fan clutch, water pump, etc) and keep coming back to the fact that the top end work was done fairly recently and for some reason they didn't go back to a proper thermostat....

truck runs great and passed smog flying colors- I have not done a combustion leak test or compression check but will go there next if I think the head gaskets might be on wrong or failed.

thanks again

 

[joe strummer]

Thanks Pitbull- this is what I was after

From what I've read, they were easily confused on the the 3.0

Joe