As mentioned under technical, I am 99% certain ive blown a head gasket. The signs are there, so its just a matter of confirmation by JC when he can. Question is, what do I do now? Do I fix the motor (shown 350k) and how much will that cost me (I do the work mostly), or do I buy another used 3.5 if I can source one, or do i just part out the Rangie?

Ive spent ( as we all do) way too much money on it already, and thinking I need to spend even more so is really not an option. So how much do you think I can expect to get the Rangie running again with the above scenarios? What would be the better option?

A blown head gasket is not the end of the world

If the motor was not using excess oil or water beforehand and was not down on power just replace the gasket

And while you are doing it yourself, whack in a new EFI profile cam with new chain/gears/lifters and give it a new lease of life. Should be well under $500 to do and better than stripping and getting not much for it.

Once you have removed the heads - the difficult thing is knowing when to stop! e.g. if you replace the cam/sprockets/lifters what about rockers, pedistals and shafts? rings, bearings etc, etc.

for info - I recently removed the heads from 3.5EFI after discovering it had a split exhaust valve, and had the heads completely reconditioned - new valves etc, etc. Cost $1k and about 13hours of my time. And it only made a very marginal improvement - so I think rangieman's advice is pretty sound!

^^^^anymore than that, you may aswell spend the coin putting something worwhile in

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Yep ! the old head gasket trick . i done mine not to long ago (3.9) its not that bad of a job ,just nut and bolts and time . get yourself a gasket set and a torque wrench and you will be ok , mine wasnt any problem and im no mechanic . just get the heads checked by a machine shop , all up mine cost about five hundred but i needed new valves to . it made a big differance to the vehicle though . worst part is removeing all the bits and peices to get at it .youll be right .good luck .

Thanks guys. I guess my fear is looking at the guts and seeing the worn parts. I recon I will do the head gasket, but if it looks all too worn then ill consider another engine. You should see under the bonnet, Ive got gas lines, electrical wire, vacumme hoses etc that I got to pull off before I even get to I bolt! Most of my time will be set to taping these to make sure they go back to their place when I put the thing together.

my 2cents, we might as well throw a decent cam into it at the same time Carlos, I think JC had one there for you didnt he??

while its all apart, it makes sense to do this at the same time

He's got the cam,( A nice 3.9 EFI one) the chain and sprockets, and the lifters. I'll even throw in some gaskets I have kicking around here so we can get it BACK ON THE TRACKS

JC

cant refuse that