About 5 years ago I sold my 04 Ram to my son in law, well he drove it until it blew the head gasket and it sat for the past 3 years.... He debated having a remans dropped in but the cost was the hang up. I hated seeing it just sit for so long ( and my truck was totaled 2 years ago when I was rear ended ) so recently a couple of their neighbors got into a dispute over multiple unlicensed vehicles parked around the houses and so they got dragged into it although the truck was parked in their driveway under a carport and never bother anyone, next the city was on them all to either license or move them... So, They had it delivered back to me !
It starts and runs good, just smokes like hell when first started up after sitting so long with a leaking head gasket, after running awhile it clears up and is fine until it sits a week then its smokes like hell again going through the cycle over again.

Well I finally cleaned up the shop and made room to pull it in, as i was only going to motivate myself by tearing into it and so it goes. Just taking my time until..... I bent over to look for a tool in a tub and POW !!!! Threw out my back, the most painful week ever. Anyways back at it and cleaning as I go. Ordered parts for the rebuild and should all be here by saturday.
Next to pull the exhaust manifolds and heads and have it all prepped for new head gaskets.

 

Have fun doing the rebuild, take your time and post pics of your progress!

 

Nice to have a spare spark plug.

 

 

Your number 2 bank was running rich.

 

I’m thinking, new valves and a 3 angle valve grind, plane the heads and deck , new piston rings and hone the cylinders new gaskets and a careful reassembly, it’ll be good as new. A great fall to winter project!

 

Or, the #1 bank had the blown gasket.

 

We’ll see when he pulls the heads off the block.

 

Yep, just taking it easy and slow, paying attention to details as it has overhead cams/3 timing chains simular to the HHR....
Taking it easy a few days before removing manifolds and heads...

 

New Parts rollin in... cleaned up the intake surfaces and PB blasted the manifold bolts to soak a few days. Oil filter, thermostat belt tensioner, spark plugs and more....