1994 3.8 LX Head Gasket Symptoms

Are these small red and green vacuum lines available anywhere? These rascals were so brittle they practically crumble in your hands.
 

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I assume I could use tubing that size if I strike out and scrap yard.
 
You could also salvage those tubes from other cars, and not just from Fords either. You can and rebend them with a heat gun
 
Thank you. Sounds like I need to hit the salvage yards. Thank you
 
For a benchmark, what should I expect to pay to have heads resurfaced these days? Just want a starting point to avoid being blind sided.

The removal process is over and went well. I think the hardest thing was getting the top exhaust pipe bolt removed on passenger side above cat converter. lol. (No lift here)
 
Is there a preferred brand and type of sealers or gasket dressings you would suggest? I plan to use Permatex copper high temp for the actual head gaskets. Thanks again for all the guidance from the BirdCats crew!!
 
No need to apply any sealant or dressing to the gaskets. Install them dry.

If you need form in place gasket maker (which I don't think you will), my go to is Aisin AB1207B1.
 
Definitely do not put any sealant on the head gaskets! Both the head and block surfaces should be clean and dry. The only things I would suggest using any sealant on is I use permatex right stuff to RTV the thermostat gasket in place to help hold the thermostat in as you are installing it, and for the lower intake manifold, ditch the gaskets that go along the front and rear wall of the block and just run a bead of right stuff across them.
 
Bobs21x said:
No loc-rite or thread sealer to be used?

Thanks again 🇺🇸
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I would 'suggest' using something like copper anti-seize (or similar) on the bolts that go into aluminum parts of the engine so you don't have issues removing them in the future. Saved my arse many times when I had to replace something, like the water pump, re-do the head, pull the intake, etc, etc.
 
MadMikeyL said:
Definitely do not put any sealant on the head gaskets! Both the head and block surfaces should be clean and dry. The only things I would suggest using any sealant on is I use permatex right stuff to RTV the thermostat gasket in place to help hold the thermostat in as you are installing it, and for the lower intake manifold, ditch the gaskets that go along the front and rear wall of the block and just run a bead of right stuff across them.
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+1. I forgot about the front and rear China walls on these. Been working on too many late model engines lately. Come to think of it, I don't remember what I did when I did the head gaskets on the '85 LTD last year :unsure: I swear by the Aisin form in place gasket, but if Mikey says the Right Stuff RTV works well I have no reason to question it. Biggest thing as Mikey mentioned is clean/flat head gasket surfaces and proper head bolt/stud torque.
 
MadMikeyL said:
for the lower intake manifold, ditch the gaskets that go along the front and rear wall of the block and just run a bead of right stuff across them.
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That is how I always installed manifolds on the 390 :)
 
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