Popped headgasket what would you do?

[Gs Dewd]

Okat I popped my head gasket. Now my question is what would you do in my case? I have a spare block I was going to build this winter since I don't use my car much that time of year. Should I just buy a oem headgasket and new stock bolts for this engine? Or buy a good headgasket and arp headstuds for this engine and for go the rebuild on the other engine for now? This engine has unknown miles on it but does run very good with no smoke and is a 6 bolt. I can't do the full rebuild right now because of the money and time but I do need the car back on the road soon.

 

[Enraged78]

You really can't start to answer a question like this until you can tell us exactly why the head gasket popped. Was it too much boost? Detonation? Personally, if I were in your situation, I would pull the head off and inspect the head and block. Having a machine shop inspect the head would also be a good idea, just to make sure you don't have to go through this twice. I would also advise a compression and leakdown test, but that becomes very difficult when you don't have a head gasket to hold the pressure in the combustion chamber.

If everything is found to be in good running order, I have had very good luck with composite OEM gaskets and ARP head studs. Buschur recommends this setup for anyone running less than 500HP.

Good luck,
Matt.

 

[goalieman24]

Yeah man... like enraged said, its tough to answer a question like that. I'd say check it out, and since you said the motor runs strong, hopefully you will be alright replacing the HG w/ little downtime.

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[Gs Dewd]

too much boost on old head gasket killed it. The car still runs strong just pukes out coolant. Did a compression test already all cylinders are at 135 to 140 except one which is at 125 which I suspect is the culprit. I imagine the head and block are just fine. I had the line pop off the wastegate and boost shot up to 20 something didn't hole it there was hitting fuel cut. Then the car started to overheat about 70 miles down the road. I will have it back up and running by next weekend. I'm am just trying to figure out what to do since I was going to do a total rebuild this winter. I'll probably just use a oem type head gasket and arp studs for now since I don't boost it over 13 anyway.

 

[Enraged78]

135 to 140 isn't really all that great for compression, but it will hold until you have time for a rebuild. How long did the car overheat for? Did you limp it home, or have it towed? How far up the gauge did it get?

At the very least, I would check both the head and the block with a straightedge and a feeler gauge to make sure that neither are warped. Again, check the head and block for anything obvious. Scratches in the combustion chamber, odd marks on the pistons, a chunk of material missing, things like this. If everything checks out, slap a new OEM gasket in there and cross you fingers.

Good luck,
Matt

 

[andymoraitis]

While a blown HG won't always affect compression, sometimes it can. If you know that overboosting was the problem, slap a new HG and studs on it as Matt mentioned and also run through his checklist to make sure that everything is as it should be (good list Matt). It would be a smart idea to re-check compression at that point and also perform a wet test to see if it's ring seal related.

Good luck,

Andy

 

[Enraged78]

While a blown HG won't always affect compression, sometimes it can. If you know that overboosting was the problem, slap a new HG and studs on it as Matt mentioned and also run through his checklist to make sure that everything is as it should be (good list Matt). It would be a smart idea to re-check compression at that point and also perform a wet test to see if it's ring seal related.

Good luck,

Andy

Thanks, Andy! Unfortunately, I've done this too many times. My last head had a crack in the #3 exhaust runner, which was difficult to find at best. It was invisible to the naked eye, and cost me a lot of hassle, which is why I'm always so adament about a machine shop checking the head. A simple pressure test can save you months of aggravation when you should be boosting.

GS Dewd, if you need any more help, please let us know.

Thanks,
Matt.