Im a little curious about my engine.

I have an '87, 2.9 FI. Auto trans. Now the trans is new and rebuilt (last year), new PS pump and gaskets. I have a small PS pump leak which is nothing serious and is totally irrelevant (sp) to my questions.

Now...it shakes and creates some serious noise around 70/75 (highways aren't fun) and runs freakishly hot. The fan is slightly cracked (bought it all funked up) and im wondering if that makes a HUGE difference. I would love to get more speed/hp out of doing backyard mods for dirt cheap but have no idea as to what direction to go.

Can anyone help with the noise/lack of speed and how to gain more out of this?

Thanks.

has it ever ran hot b4? its prob got a cracked head or a headgasket blown.

It has been running hot since we bought it so i thought nothing of it.

I wasn't sure if it was a serious thing or not so i didn't pay much attention to it.

P.S. - I talked to you online. JuStDrGnBy for a ref.

When parked, if you raised the rpm to about 3K does it shake like as it does at 70mph? If so replace the fan. Another thing and its not good it might have a bad head gasket causing it to run warm.

Im gonna have to guess where 3k is because i dont have a seperate rev. gauge.

We replaced the gaskets before we put it on the road so im not 100% where that comes into play.

On a side note, I just found out i need to replace the rear wheel bearings! Joy...

Even if you replaced the head gaskets, if the head is cracked, you'll still have over heating problems.

yeah soundsa like a blown head gasket and prob a cracked head 2.9 are pron to doing that from what i have heard

If that is the case, how much would it be to get it replaced? Might need to worn the parental units now before my ish explodes...

get a new engine because its prob done alot of damage by this time

Engine is fine. Its also 97 outside as I type this.

how do you know its fine now. i heard the same thing as layingframe89 that the 2.9 was a hot head. the only reason i know is cuz ive been lookin for a smaller motor to turbo charge and everyone i talked to told me to stay away from the 2.9 and my 3.0

I guess i think its ok mainly because i drive it everyday, it hasn't given me any problems and doesn't sound like anything is going to give out. I guess I'll check this weekend and see whats up.

Everything seems to be fine to me but then again, I honestly wouldn't know.

First truck, first vehicle.

u can check the oil and see if ther is coolant in it.

Replaced the oil 150+ miles ago so...

No idea to tell you the truth.

yous should still check it at least once a week. once you pass 100k miles maintenance is crucial and the more attention you spend on it the better off your gonna be. the longer a problem is left alone the worse the problem gets. my first car only lasted me 6 months because of my inexperience with vehicles. just get it checked out if its nothing at least you checked take a weight off your shoulders. now youve got a truck you need to be able to drive the ladies around! and let them ride you around in your ride!!