Head gasket replacement?

1990 FORD F-250
200,000 MILES • 7.3L • V8 • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
FRAZIER88
  • MEMBER
  • 43 POSTS
I need. Step by step procedure on where to start and what had to be removed first etc... to replace the head gaskets and this is a 7.3 diesel IDI motor
Mar 1, 2026 at 11:48 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
FRAZIER88
  • MEMBER
  • 43 POSTS
Also what's the deal with this injector pump I keep hearing something about gears or what have
Mar 1, 2026 at 1:11 PM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,854 POSTS
Yes, the injector pump is driven off of the cam gear and it will have timing marks so that is pretty straight forward, line he marks up before disassembly so it goes back together the same way. the rest is like a normal head gasket job, remove the intake and exhaust manifolds, drain the coolant first and disconnect the battery. Make sure to have the heads resurfaced or the gaskets will let go again. Do you need step by step for the teardown?

Clean bolt holes in the block (chase threads if needed). Lightly oil the bolt threads and underside of bolt heads.

Here are the torque specs and sequence to install the heads. Let me know if you need more instructions. Check out the images (below). Ken
Mar 2, 2026 at 8:59 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
FRAZIER88
  • MEMBER
  • 43 POSTS
Yeah if you don't mind because I'm not used to diesel at all and I just want to make sure I don't miss something or struggle unnecessarily. I've tore down gas motors plenty and see there's not much difference but just to be on the safe side and help I can get I appreciate
Mar 2, 2026 at 12:32 PM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,854 POSTS
Here is a link so you can get the full instructions step by step if you need it.

https://www.alldata.com/diy-us/en

Let us know how it goes
Mar 3, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Avatar
FRAZIER88
  • MEMBER
  • 43 POSTS
Is there any place I can get help that doesn't cost me money? I'm literally stuck was just in an accident and totaled my Buick and insurance company sucks so no help there and I'm down to scraping just to get stuff to get this truck on the road mainly just need to know about this tray underneath the intake on how to get it off and what it should look like because it looks broke to me and that might be the problem it the head gaskets.
Mar 3, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Avatar
STRAILER
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 53,854 POSTS
No worries, here are the instructions on how to do the cylinder head gaskets. Please upload an image a short video of any problems you have so I can help walk you through the job. Check out the images (below).
Mar 4, 2026 at 7:30 AM