Head gasket longevity on 4.6

[06vrsca]

Has there been any issues with head gaskets on 4.6s, I've recently picked up a 97 GT & it was almost a gallon low on coolant, I topped it off & haven't been able to drive it since I got it due to weather. Looks like it has the updated intake. any suggestions? Thanks Larry

 

[rugster]

I was once told that these cars are pretty sound when it comes to the headgaskets...he said that they very rarely fail unless you crack the seal between the heads and the block. This information came from a dealer when I was asking for a price quote because I thought I had blown mine. When a dealer tells you that you don't need something, you def dont need it

 

[SilverBullet00]

I blew one, but I seem to have magical problems no one else seems to have.

With a 97 you can do a PI swap for the price a dealership would want to replace the head gaskets!

 

[Black'02]

Yes i have heard its a very rare occurance. Now my old 94 V-6 is another story, those early 3.8 engines were known to go through alot of head gaskets. When i finally got around to changing them in mine they were blown on both sides.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

I talked to my tuner shop a few weeks back. I asked him about that, and he said off all the Mustangs they work on, tune, supercharge and repair, he said he can't remember even once replacing headgaskets on a 4.6L. He said the headgaskets are very very good parts from the factory.

I would check your plastic intake.

 

[MyStangGT]

+1 on checking the intake. Look for cracks in and around the thermostat housing. Look in the valley for antifreeze. It'll run out the drain hole in the back if it gets enough in it and one might think it is leaking from the head.

 

[blckstng96]

cracks in the intake manifold are very common and a lot of the times not even visible until removed.as far as head gaskets go,i have rarely ever heard of them being a problem on 4.6s even with boost.i blew mine but it was due to my water pump failing.