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I see that luvs seem to blow head gaskets frequently. I just recently bought a luv that seems to be well takin care of but most everything is original. Would It be smart to replace the head gasket even though the truck seems to be running good or would I be wasting my time? The truck is going to be used as a daily driver so I don't want it to s@$T out on me on the road. What signs should I be looking for that causes a blown head gasket?

I guess the main thing is a loss of coolant without any visible leaks. I don't know that head gaskets are much more common on the LUV than other stuff. My 77 only has about 150 K on it. I replaced the head gasket once over 10 years ago.

Get a tach. These trucks were built for getting good gas mileage when the national speed limit was 55mph. My '78 at 60 mph, is at 4000 rpm. I don't go above that for extended periods of time. Sure I'll take it to 5k or so when getting on it and then shifting. But not 5k for an hour straight, going down the highway. It sounds like it wants to come apart at that speed.
I've noticed that the majority of blown motors and head gaskets around here, were people who say they can drive their truck at 70-75-80 all day and it does great. Not all, I said the majority of. Even my rebuilt motor blew a head gasket at about 10,000 miles on it.

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OK, I'm over it. Where's the beer?

For now I have to travel about 50 miles one way to work on the freeway. I will not be driving any faster than 60mph. Do luvs run good for extended amounts of time on the freeway?

Yea. I drive 22 miles each way. 1/4 streets, 1/2 freeway/ 1/4 streets. But like I said, as long as it is not super high rpm's, it will do just fine.

My '79 4X4 has bigger wheels/tires on it, and it will do 65-70 ( I forgot exactly. I haven't driven it in a while, my daughter won't give it back ) all day at about 4k rpm.

Both of my trucks have the 4-11 gears in the back. I think 80 (maybe 79 also) have a taller rear gear and can go a bit faster on the highway.

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OK, I'm over it. Where's the beer?

Don't ever let it overheat. Have the radiator flushed or better boiled out. The valves should be adjusted about every 15,000 miles, make sure to check the rocker arm and head bolt torque while you're in there. If you have any symptoms of a leaking gasket it will only get worse, so replace it before it completely fails. If it's not leaking replacing an old gasket won't necessarily extend the time until the gasket fails.

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'78 Chevy LUV,1.9,4sp,headers,31's,SAS Dana 30,Dana 20,SOA rear w/Aussie Locker, rough body, bought new 12/4/78.
'87 Trooper,2.3,5sp,headers,31's,ball joint flip & spacer,Aussie Locker rear,Superwinch hubs,brush guard w/5.5K winch,more to come.

I've seen 76-82 Luvs go past 150K with rountine maintenance, ie changing spark plugs , keeping valves adjusted, oil changes, etc. But one time overheated and wham the head gasket is gone! You recieved some excellent advice, keep it cool, and maintained well. One thing you might think about has been mentioned, that is changing the rear end gears, (complete third members interchange with all Luvs, and later Isuzu Pups, Joe Isuzu can tell you more about that.) For example you can install as set of 3:42 s and slow your engine way down on the freeway, but the 1.8 engine will probably lug down significantly and kill your low end so it would be a trade off. How about going to a 5 speed, that is if you don't already have one? You will notice a definite miss if your head gasket starts to leak, so pull your spark plugs and check them regularly, keep an eye on your oil level, water in the oil is quick to see it looks like melted ice cream! But mostly just keep you eye on the temp guage. Good luck,
dusty

pulled the spark plugs........one was clean and the other three has crud all over them with a little bit of oil the threads of the spark plugs. what does this indicate?

I have to squeeze a word in about the ice cream statement. I will pop my oil filler cap off and in the under side I see a bit of melted ice cream as you described it. I do not seem to be losing oil or coolant but I guess I will keep an even more cautious eye on it. Guess I better look at a head gasket in my future

The clean one has a coolant leak...

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