I got a 1993 245, automatic for a song because I knew it had a blown head gasket. I removed the head, cleaned it up, put on a new gasket but didn't check the head for flatness. The thing started right up and idles nice but I can tell it's burning some coolant so the head needs work. Here's my situation and I'd like some opinions.

I don't mind removing the head and doing the job right this time (it's just not hard to do, plus I cleaned everything as I went so the engine compartment looks great). However, I'm worried that there might be other engine issues. So, I was thinking about getting an engine from a salvage yard, but then I'm actually in the same boat!

What would you do? Redo the head properly (the engine only has 160k miles on it)or go the salvage yard rout?

Well fellas/gals I decided to redo the head. I just pulled one from an 86/240 and it's already at the machine shop getting prepped. The guy will have it ready for me Saturday. I'm going to order new gaskets (head, intake, exhaust, valve cover) and new head bolts (yeah the book says you can use them 5 times but these have been used twice that I know of) tonight. If it all comes together and family and weather cooperate I should be restarting it this weekend.

I would suggest you pull the head and determine if it's still good. If yes, mill it down flat and install. If not, get another head that is usable instead of another engine
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89 240 Wagon 217K, 94 940 185K

If the engine has only 160k miles on it, why are you asking? You did say it "idled nice".

Pull the head, check to see if it can be machined, if yes, do it.
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1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb but electronic ignition and M46 trans in Brampton, Ont.

It sounds like to me it would be good to keep what you have.

You are at a point that a switch is like booking the same cruise on that boat all over again except with an unknown destination. It could be an expensive ticket upon disembarkation.

I’m curious how long you have run the car. If it has been only a short time you may have coolant in the mufflers and pipes slowly burning off.

Before you pull the head off, run a radiator CO gas check unless you know you are losing a quantity of coolant from the reservoir directly into the engine.

A compression check might tell you what cylinder to boot. It sounds like your rings were not slugged with water or it would be smoking oil instead.

A leak may be some place else in the car that started the whole overheating problem to begin with.

Just my thoughts, to throw out there from a distance,

Phil

It all really depends what you want to do.

The A-1 best route would be to rebuild one of these engines. It's one of the easier engines to rebuild IMHO...But then again I'm used to dropping 30+ hours rebuilding 4.2 Litre Jaguar XK engines.

Call around and see how much junkyards A.) Want for a used engine and B.) How much extra a 6 month - 1 year warranty is. This way if something happens, you're covered...Just not in the labour department.

Pulling a 240 engine and replacing one is quite easy. All it takes is about 16 or so bolts, removing wires and so forth...It takes about 2-5 hours depending on your mechanical skill and with the right equipment.

I wouldn't suggest trying to fix the head. There's a good chance the head is warped now because it wasn't flat. Like I said, you're just better off swapping that engine with a good used engine.

If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to e-mail me at EricJMedeiros37@gmail.com . I've done over 30+ 200 series engine jobs.

Cheers,
-Eric