[Digilz]

This may end up being a longer post than you might care for, but my problems are THAT big. I drive a 94 V6 with a stock engine (except for the cold-air and dual H-pipes), and lately it's been overheating and staggering/ hesitating when in higher gears than first. It has 120+ miles to date. I had the thermostat and coolant replaced just last week, but the car overheated once again. The rad and hoses aren't leaking, but when the car overheats, the liquid shoots out of the reservoir tank, until the temp drops again. My mechanic decided that the water pump is ok because the coolant bubbles at the cap when the Tstat is removed. The crappy news is that it may be a shot head gasket or cracked cylinder head. I took out the T-stat for now to keep the fluids running (a short-term fix), but how do I determine whether the water pump is ok, or whether it's inside the heads without spending loads of money? Also, does that have anything to do with the occasional staggering beyond first gear at WOT? I get the feeling that my car troubles are about to start.
ANY KIND OF HELP OR SUGGESTIONS ARE VERY WELCOME

Thanks in advance.

[PonyBoy1574]

ouch, I'm sorry to hear about your problem. My suggestion is if you where ever looking to do a head swap do it now because it will get you to replace gaskets and new heads which you know are good. Also it will make taking a look at the cylinders easy. If that is not something that you are looking to do I don't know what to tell you.

[Digilz]

I guess a head swap is the ultimate fix. The Ford dealer says these kinds of problems are common with all V6 fords, including mainly Mustang and Taurus. With a job that big, isn't it better to drop another engine in? It seems hardly worth the time & money to swap heads on an aging engine.

[PonyBoy1574]

I guess it all depends on what shape your engine is in. A new high output engine will run you about 5000 at least plus labor. Morana street and strip heads will run you 1650 buck, a new ported and polished intake is 500 for bothupper and lower. Other then that you only have the cost of gasket's, cleaner, and misc. Where in Canada are you? V6Sprout is very able to handle such a job if you wish to undertake it and will help you out at a very reasonable cost. He is going to help me out once I get to that stage in my modifications.

[Kaylah]

'94 head gaskets are NOTORIOUS in all Ford V-6 for going out from 90K - 150K. How does the smoke look? Steam, white? I don't like that you say its overheating and "staggering" and that seems like its just became a recent symptom...that really points to those dreaded head gaskets! I agree that swapping heads is not a bad thing and would be more economical. Then you also have the head gasket problem licked. But I believe you can get away with using the same heads with a small degree of grinding if gaskets are the only problem. If you get it done, it will probably cost 1000-1600; if you do it yourself, you might get away with about $300.

[1998GT]

Is the car really worth doing all that work? You can spend the money and drop a new engine in or replace the heads. With 120 miles i would prolly go with a new engine, but i dont know if it worth it to you.