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'65 396/425 Head Gasket Fail

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Old 08-04-2018, 06:44 PM
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DanielJ
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Default '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


Last edited by DanielJ; 08-04-2018 at 06:45 PM.
Old 08-04-2018, 07:35 PM
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Nowhere Man
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what does your dip stick say is in your oil pan
Old 08-04-2018, 07:49 PM
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Vette5311
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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.
Old 08-04-2018, 08:52 PM
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Generally will get white smoke / steam coming out of the exhaust if head gasket is allowing coolant leak into cylinder.
Old 08-05-2018, 04:33 PM
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DanielJ
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Originally Posted by Nowhere Man
what does your dip stick say is in your oil pan

Oil looks good on dipstick. This issue only was for a few minutes. Would have expected to possibly see some “goo” on the stick.

Thanks for your response.
Old 08-05-2018, 04:43 PM
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DanielJ
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Originally Posted by Vette5311
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.
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?
Old 08-05-2018, 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by jrm5657
Generally will get white smoke / steam coming out of the exhaust if head gasket is allowing coolant leak into cylinder.
Did not see any white smoke. Maybe the side pipes prevented me seeing this. Was very intent on just getting the car home and into the shop.

Thanks again everyone. Appreciate the help.

DanielJ.
Old 08-05-2018, 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by DanielJ



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?
Look of bubbles in antifreeze when running, CAUTION Do Not Open Up Hot. Let car cool completely, like overnight, then start up with cap off and look in antifreeze for the bubbles. Be Careful If nothing, get an exhaust sniffer to check for CO in the radiator. Good Luck

Old 08-06-2018, 10:02 AM
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Avispa
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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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Old 08-06-2018, 11:02 AM
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Compression test should be the first order of business.
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Old 08-06-2018, 11:05 AM
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Yep, run a compression check before teardown.
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Old 08-06-2018, 05:11 PM
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Compression Results for 1-4. Will move on to leak down test. Thank you all for your help. DanielJ.

Old 08-06-2018, 05:51 PM
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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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Old 08-07-2018, 02:03 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.
Old 08-07-2018, 02:19 PM
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Bowtyeguy
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Maybe its me, are you numbering these 1 2 3 4 or each bank? You mentioned 5 and 8 but they are on opposite sides.

Last edited by Bowtyeguy; 08-07-2018 at 02:20 PM.
Old 08-07-2018, 05:36 PM
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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.
Old 08-07-2018, 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Bowtyeguy
Maybe its me, are you numbering these 1 2 3 4 or each bank? You mentioned 5 and 8 but they are on opposite sides.
You are correct. My bad. Apologies to all.

Last edited by DanielJ; 08-08-2018 at 07:50 AM.
Old 08-08-2018, 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by DanielJ


You are correct. My bad. Apologies to all.
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
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