I have a 2000 F-250 with a 5.4L Triton engine. I have been having ongoing problems with my truck overheating for about a month. After replacing the thermostat twice, the water pump, and radiator with having no luck with stopping it from overheating I am going to replace the head gasket. I do not have any obvious symptoms of a leaky head gasket (white smoke coming from the exhaust or anything) but I have been told by a mechanic that it is the head gasket that needs replacing. I am a bit leary to replace the head gasket because I have heard from a few sources (2 of which are mechanics) that after replacing your head gasket it is likely you will drop a bottom end. I do not see why replacing the head gasket would cause this to happen. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge with this?

 

If you haven't tore your motor down yet, check your compression and see if 1 or 2 cylinders are low. If you have a low 1 make up a fitting to put compressed air into the cylinder that is low and see if you get bubbles in the radiator. This will save pulling both heads if that is the problem.