'65 396/425 Head Gasket Fail
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'65 396/425 Head Gasket Fail
Presuming the head gasket has failed on the right bank. Hear the tink-tink-tink and on the way home (thankfully) saw that the engine temperature was decreasing and it's a warm day here. Also noted that the right side exhaust is brown(ish) in color.
Believe that anti-freeze is below the heads and certainly below T-Stat Sender, but think too, it may be prudent to remove more AF to insure the cylinder does not fill with any AF. As of this writing, engine is hot so it be will hours till the fluid is reduced.
Could be misdiagnosing this, so please, all of the engine experts here, please give your feed back or your request for more information.
Thanks for your help.
DanielJ
Believe that anti-freeze is below the heads and certainly below T-Stat Sender, but think too, it may be prudent to remove more AF to insure the cylinder does not fill with any AF. As of this writing, engine is hot so it be will hours till the fluid is reduced.
Could be misdiagnosing this, so please, all of the engine experts here, please give your feed back or your request for more information.
Thanks for your help.
DanielJ
Last edited by DanielJ; 08-04-2018 at 06:45 PM.
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what does your dip stick say is in your oil pan
#3
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Check
Check for oil in antifreeze and check plugs for any signs of water or rust. If the leak is minor go to a shop with emission sniffer and check for carbon monoxide in the radiator. You can also use air in a leak down test and look for bubbles in antifreeze.
#4
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Generally will get white smoke / steam coming out of the exhaust if head gasket is allowing coolant leak into cylinder.
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As you will see something is amiss between 1-2, especially #2. That plug is wet with AF and #1 is nearly the same color but not soaked. Don’t think there is a reason to do any further testing and would suspect the head gasket..... at least that is the hope. Am I missing anything else?
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Thanks again everyone. Appreciate the help.
DanielJ.
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next
First action today was to pull the plugs. Was suspicious of 5-8 since exhaust looked a little off color. Was completely wrong.
As you will see something is amiss between 1-2, especially #2. That plug is wet with AF and #1 is nearly the same color but not soaked. Don’t think there is a reason to do any further testing and would suspect the head gasket..... at least that is the hope. Am I missing anything else?
#9
Safety Car
Don't assume anything. Wet plugs can be caused by a number of things: valve sealing problems, bad plug wire, bad plug. Do a leak down test, or at least a compression test. Otherwise you'll just be beating you head on the wall if there isn't an obvious cause.
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#13
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If the head gasket is blown completely out a compression test or leak down would show it. If it's just a seaping gasket they would never show it because the pressure is so much higher when it fires. A seaping gasket will blow water slowly out the radiator. Same if the head is cracked?
Last edited by Robert61; 08-06-2018 at 05:54 PM.
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Leak down completed on 1-3. 3 being the standard since there was no observed issues with this cylinder. The picture above shows the results.
While there was air pressure, observed expansion tank for turbulence or bubbles with no detection of either. All cylinders tested exhibited the same sound of air passing by the rings. BTW, could not keep the engine from turning over when applying compressed air to cyl #2. Removed rockers and tested with the above results.
Will reassemble and get the car to run and heat to OT and repeat LD test , look for bubbles, and buy a CO sniffer if affordable.
Would it be advisable to re-torque the head & intake manifold prior to start?
Thanks again for your suggestions and help.
DanielJ.
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When you remove the oil fill cap, is there any residue (milky/tan) that is on the cap? You can buy, cheaply, a block tester solution that is used to detect for head gasket leaks. I am sure any parts store would have it. It inserts into your radiator opening. Very quick and efficient. We use this at the shop all the time.
Last edited by Dan Hampton; 08-07-2018 at 05:41 PM.
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another way too check this, is too squirt engine oil into the cyl thru the plug hole bump the motor over to spread the oil around. and then take a leak down or compression test. the oil will soak the rings long enough too seal and do a test. but it will not plug a leaking valve or gasket. what this will tell you is:
1] if compression goes up from a dry reading then your rings are leaking by.
2] if it does not go up, then it could be a valve or gasket listen for hissing out the intake or exh.
good luck troy
1] if compression goes up from a dry reading then your rings are leaking by.
2] if it does not go up, then it could be a valve or gasket listen for hissing out the intake or exh.
good luck troy
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