It sounds to me like the easiest and cheapest fix is to replace the head gasket (you'll need one anyway to swap a head). Make sure you have the head checked to see if it's warped.
Matt On 6/7/2012 11:58 PM, Thomas Garner spouted this sage advice:
Ok, I have been told several times that if the opportunity arose, that I should put a 4.0 or 4.2 liter head on my 232 engine. (1964 AMC Rambler Classic) Well my car was sitting for about 3 years. I finally got around to putting on a 2bbl carb./intake/exhaust manifold setup on it, and actually drove it from it's 3 year spot in my yard. It ran like crap. I have been working on and it and I found a vacuum leak or three here and there. It helped considerably, but still not right. I moved around to the passenger side while it was running and I saw water (and oil too I think) bubbling out pretty good on the side of my engine where the head and block meet. DANG DANG DANG. Well after my momentary "2 year old" like temper tantrum, I decided to browse Craigslist for a 4.0 or 4.2 head. I haven't really had luck with the 4.2, but I've found several 4.0 heads. It seems I remember, and googled, that the 4.0 was the way to go anyways. My 2 bbl carb./intake setup came off an 1981 Spirit with a 258. I'm guessing I won't have a problem getting the 4.0 head to mate with the 258 intake/exhaust, but not sure. Will it work ok? Will I be ok using my 2 bbl carb. setup on a 4.0 head or does it have to be fuel injection? Do I need or should I get a specific year head? I can get a 96 or 98 head for $50 each or I can buy a complete 4.0 engine that was in a wreck for $150, but the head has apparently been rebuilt recently. Anybody got some info? _____________________________________________________________ Are you prepared for your exam 4TestsMail - Free email you can access from anywhere! http://www.4testsmail.com/ _______________________________________________ AMC-list mailing list AMC-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx http://list.amc-list.com/listinfo.cgi/amc-list-amc-list.com
-- mhaas@xxxxxxx Cincinnati, OH http://www.mattsoldcars.com 1967 Rambler American wagon ================================================================= According to a February 2003 survey of Internet holdouts released by UCLA's Center for Communication Policy, people cite not having a computer as the No. 1 reason they won't go online. _______________________________________________ AMC-list mailing list AMC-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx http://list.amc-list.com/listinfo.cgi/amc-list-amc-list.com