BroncoII4x4.com

Ok I am sitting here at work and don't have a manual handy and I know how helpful all of you are so figured id ask...

I have a '88 F-150 5.0L that through the winter froze up... I did 2 frost plugs and it holds water good now however it seems I have a blown head...

Symptoms:
Temp Gauge sits at 3/4 to Top end of normal(never gets to red)
There is Very Little to no Visible Moisture from Exhaust(haven't checked under load)
After it gets hot and I stop it sounds like its overheating and when I look there is bubbles coming up in the reservoir but it never overflows
The Oil is perfectly clean(not milky)
If driven 2km(longest distance I went) the gauge never exceeds normal area
Both upper and lower rad hose are hot and firm

I also grabbed the rad cap off of my BII(5.0L) and swapped them same issue but just in case I am going to buy a new rad cap on the way home

So my theory is its the head gasket allowing exhaust into the coolant but not allowing coolant into the exhaust

So if someone could please tell me all the different gasket kits required to replace the head gasket(I am assuming one needs to pull valves so valve cover gaskets etc..)... I have never done one on a 5.0L so want to make sure I have all the commonly needed parts before I proceed.(I do have a manual for a bronco with torque specs etc)

Should one always get the head machined?

First off I'd get a compression test done, no point ripping your engine apart for no reason. I read your symptoms and you never say what the reason is for thinking you got a problem, the temp issue could be a bad or sticking thermostat.