my problem with the idea of it being a head gasket is that you're not flowing through the rad. It should still, I would think.

 

 

Just curious did you check your radiator cap? Also I had the same problem once and the metal spring in my lower radiator hose had rusted and the hose itself would collapse when it was running. Not really sure how it has a vacumn on it causing nothing to get through but non the less I had the smae problems.

 

yeah checked that a while back, but it failed the block test so theres no other choice but to get to the head gaskets, failed block test means, cracked block, cracked head or leaky head gasket. in my case leaky gasket (head gasket). head is out getting rebuilt and resurface and then picking it up monday or tues. im curious on how others take the head out when it comes to the manifolds.

 

another update. shop that has my head cleaned it up and found a crack. yup after it failed the block test i did, i took the head apart and i couldnt see any cracks but i guess after the clean up it was noticeable. so cracked head it is along with a bad head gasket. just ordered a newly cast head.

 

just for search references, when taking the head out. make sure you just unbolt the 3 exhaust bolts underneath the car, bu the front u joint area. unbolt the 3 exhaust bolts there. disconnecting exhaust. unplug all the o2 (4 of them). leave the exhaust manifolds and intake manifolds on the head. unplug all the electrical connectors on the intake manifold, disconnec the fuel line. disconnect any other objects that are hold down the intake manifild. again... leave exhaust and intake manifolds on the head. remove head with both manifolds on. you will need 2 people to do this. much much much! easier this way. the the whole assembly (head plus two manifolds) on a table of some sort. i had it on top of my big tool box. then unbolt the mani's off the head. much easier that way instead of fighting with the last 2 bolts in the car. then same situation on installation. in my case i got a brand new head, get a head set and new bolts at your local good supplier parts store. the head set comes with everything for the head (valve grommets, valve cover rings, valve cover gasket, head gasket, throttle body gasket (which i dont know why because i left throttle body on intake manifold installed never took off) comes with exhaust manifold gasket and also exhaust gasket where those 3 bolts are at, comes with alot. and get new bolts for the head. always use new bolts!!! and torque them in sequence!

so far i worked on it last night and i worked on it for 2 hours! got the head on and everything torqued and bolted, now just need to plug in the o2 sensors and get 3 new exhaust bolts as they were rust and i cut them off. then fill her up and im good to go! cant wait. i did wanted to get a 4 dr jk eventually this summer coming up but now after this repair i think im gonna keep going easily over 200k. at 160 now.

 

All done. Smooth ride. Love my jeep!