DFW Dallas Head Gasket Mechanic. Rocommendations

[RickM]

Ok. I am on a hunting expedition. I am in Dallas, and I am looking for a REASONABLY PRICED mechanic to do a head gasket and valley gasket job. I wanted to do this myself, but I am not sure what can of worms this is goiing to open up, and I am pretty confident I have a slipped sleeve. Finding a mechanic willing to pin this thing is going to be important.

Now I know Allen at NTX Rover is the guy, and I think the world of him, but he is so darn expensive and although he is worth the money, I am thinking he will charge more than this truck is worth. Sooo. Any other suggestions.

 

[KyleT]

your best bet is to find a good used shortblock. none i can recommend in dfw to pin it that I would trust...

 

[robertf]

If it slipped why are you having any work done to it? The block is trashed

 

[RickM]

I'm trying to simply do what I can to get another year out of this truck.

 

[JohnC]

First of all. what year is your Disco?

Second, what makes you think you need head gaskets? Slipped liner?

and third, why do you think you can't do the work?

 

[bryno]

The work is time consuming, but not too difficult if you have the tools and determination. Just get a copy of the Rave CD or find it online and do your planning. Last time I had my heads off the most difficult thing was the last head bolt. drover side against the fire-wall. Wheew, that was tough.

 

[primussucks]

I'm in dallas, and needing to do the heads soon as well... i have a slow coolant leak... i'm putting it off until after SCARR (hopefully).

I'm debating on doing it myself (preferably with Robert's help) or Kyle if youre interested as well.

you could call Darrel at Olivers Automotive... not sure the price difference between Olivers and Allen.

I actually had a conversation with Darrel just last week about pinning the liners.. He said he would do it on his truck, time permitting, but doing it on someone else's truck would be cost prohibitive.

 

[KyleT]

The work is time consuming, but not too difficult if you have the tools and determination. Just get a copy of the Rave CD or find it online and do your planning. Last time I had my heads off the most difficult thing was the last head bolt. drover side against the fire-wall. Wheew, that was tough.

a short socket and a breaker bar makes that one alot easier to get to.

IIRC i have a shorty 3/8 drive 16mm impact socket (dont use chrome, when it breaks and rounds off the headbolt head, you are screwed) and a 3/8 to 1/2 adapter that is just for that last bolt. some people will also dent the firewall to make it a little easier but I have never done that.

its been nearly 4 years since I did a head gasket job so its all a little fuzzy...

overwhelming, yes I can see that. hard, not at all. i have never even looked at the rave to do one.

 

[Houston]

I know you Dallas boys need all the help you can get... Houston get's things done.

Hug it out. :bigok:

Do it yourself man. If it's a daily driver then take Friday or Monday off work and expect to just give yourself the whole weekend. I don't think you will need it if you are a relatively handy guy and have the tools/the money to buy a mechanics set, torque wrench, and the various odds and ends that you will need.

There are a million good write-ups and threads that will cover the technical. Get an iPad with Rave pulled up. Have lights for working in the evening.

Long story short- be confident and do it. I have done 3 now and strongly suggest anyone that has a Disco and fits the afore mentioned description just get in there and do it.

When it's all done you will look back on thinking about spending $2500.00- $5,000.00 and scoff.

All that being said- if you have a slipped sleeve (why do you think that?) you should do what was already suggested and get a nice clean block.

 

[bryno]

a short socket and a breaker bar makes that one alot easier to get to.

Yup, and 250 lbs of my torque. It wasn't the bite that was the problem, it was the twist. It finally took a big honking impact, don't even know how he got it hooked up, but it took a lot of compressed air.