V8 SHO Catastrophic Shim Failure

If it is just the front head, then fix just the front head. Piece of cake compared to the rear head.

I have reused decent headgaskets before. I have reused bolts before and added 5# of torque with great success too.

Always best to use new if you can still find them.

I also lap in my own new valves, but sending out the heads for a proper 3 angle job = once again better.

 

I did a write up on this a while back. Head gaskets are available from a couple of locations. Shosource is the most reliable source.

https://shoforum.com/index.php?posts/1473926/

 

I see you tagged onto this thread so your shim buckets are good etc? You have to look at the cylinder for damage that may require attention. You can price out the head work and locate a used replacement and compare price. I would only do 1 head if I could get away with it. Especially if it is in front

 

I have a complete front head off of my parts car. I can always send that out to get worked. Would like to keep the original head with it if it is reusable. I did shoot an email (yesterday) to ShoSource for gasket & bolts. Will look to see your writeup (gamefanatic) on the procedure....ty for all your help.

 

It's a "good luck finding head bolts" situation. Here's a conversation about possibly cutting Duratec head bolts to length.

Here's a list of parts from this 2007 post, I bolded the parts you should replace for the front, and added some links to new parts:

(2) Upper Intake Manifold Gasket - F6DZ-9439-B - $37.60 ea.
(2) Lower Intake Manifold Gasket - F6DZ-9439-A - $9.26 ea. (available)
(1) Center Timing Chain Cover Gasket - F6DZ-6020-CA - $13.18
(1) RH Timing Chain Cover Gasket - F6DZ-6020-AA - $12.27
(1) LH Timing Chain Cover Gasket - F6DZ-6020-BA - $12.27
(1) Timing Chain Cover Crankshaft Seal - F5AZ-6700-A - $10.72 (available)
(1) Rear/Right Head Gasket - F6DZ-6051-CA - $237.63 (available)
(1) F6DZ-6051-DA Left head gasket $ 148.99
(10) Head Bolt - F6DZ-6065-BA -$3.08 ea. (have not found any OEM sources)
(10) Head Bolt Washers - F6DZ-6L015-AA - $3.03
(1) Rear Exhaust Man. Gasket - F6DZ-9448-K7B - $19.53
(1) Left Hand Valve Cover Gasket - F6DZ-6584-CA – $23.98 (available)
(1) Right Hand Valve Cover Gasket - F6DZ-6584-BA - $29.56 (available)
(8) Cylinder Head Cover plug Gaskets – F6DZ-6F048-AA - $3.64 per 2 (available)
(2) Cylinder Head Cover Gaskets – F6DZ-6F048-BA - $5.47 ea.
(2) 3/8” Fuel Line Connection o-rings/Seal 5/16 X .07 - 390846-S96 - $1.64
(2) 1/2” Fuel Line Connection o-rings/Seal 7/16 X .07 - 390847-S96 - $1.38
(16) Fuel Injector O-Ring – F6DZ-9229-A – $1.03

Now: head gasket set - $377.95.



Head bolts are "tighten to (only) 20-23 ft-lb in sequence, then tighten an additional 90 degrees." - Torque-to-yield, no reuse.

Part numbers are useful for sometimes finding liquidators clearing them out on ebay, or for putting in the Green Sales site.

Of course, you could get a valve(s) to replace the bent one, have the head machined and a valve job, even redo stem seals and guides, and put it back together better than a used head.

[6] Intake valve - F6DZ-6507-DA (available - $23.10)
[7] Exhaust valve - F6DZ-6505-DA (available)
[8] Intake valve stem seals - F6DZ-6571-AA
[8] Exhaust valve stem seals - F6DZ-6571-BA (available)
[11] Valve spring retainer keeper - F5RZ-6518-B (available - 27.42 each!)
[10] Valve retainer (lower) - F6DZ-6514-CA
[10] Valve spring retainer (upper) - F6DZ-6514-AA
[12] Tappet - valve lifter - F6DZ-6500-AA (available - $27.29 each)
[13] Shim/Spacer - F6DZ-6515-xx (or use v6 shims with no hole, and a magnet or pick to remove)

also interesting:
3 of four new camshafts available.
Right hand head, new (no valves) F6DZ-6049-GA $405.53 (available)
Left side valve cover replacement - F6DZ-6582-CA




Guessing that the shattered shim is it being smashed by the camshaft after being partially ejected, and pushing the valve deeper into the engine also. I guess, make sure you can "reconstruct" the shim from the parts to be sure you removed them all.

 

Head bolts:
https://shop.rocketracingshop.com/FORD-TAURUS-SHO-34-96-99-HEAD-BOLTS-SHO-HEAD-BOL.htm
$99.00

Head Gaskets are a tad bit less at SHOSource:
http://www.shosource.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=100_101&products_id=733

 

I have to say...this is a learning experience.
Wound up getting 3 new exhaust valve & all new valve seals....thanks ShoGuy89.
The machine shop said that it would be best to see if I could track down another exhaust cam (LH)...the one with the camshaft trigger ring.
I did not realize the front & back (head) exhaust cams were different.
Wound up using my parts car head....but I used the cam with the trigger wheel when I first got the car.
The initial issue was a kicked out shim....the mechanic that did the work replaced the exhaust cam.
If anyone has a "spare" non-abused cam...post back to me.
Hopefully this is the last part needed.....can't wait to start putting it back together.