gary1725
Donation Time
Hi Folks, I know this one might have been done to death but here goes - my head gasket, I think slowly initially (thinking I was running the car often enough that water did not build up) and then quickly failed (car had been sat for about a month un-started) - symptoms - initial uneven idle, hesitation and white smoke (lots and I mean lots), then the smoke cleared and the idle settled ok - I figured this indicated coolant being burnt, left the car for a week and sure enough when I removed the head yesterday - water in #3 and #4.
The Head gasket I used was a 3 layer gasket - aluminum, composite sandwich material and copper gasket (no markings) but I forget where I bought it! The car has covered about 18K miles since an extensive engine rebuild and the gasket honestly looks as though it has "shrunk" at one end pulling the water holes towards the cylinder! - the rear stud hole is elongated as are the bolt holes around them (the front half lines up ok!) I had bought two of the same gasket at the time and the spare is perfect for the block so it does not look like an initial fit issue that I missed.
I have ordered a head set from Classic Sunbeam Auto parts in New York and will compare that head gasket with the spare as I don't really want to see a repeat of this issue... I also intend to have the head checked by a machine shop before refitting.
Any advice always welcome.
Gary
The Head gasket I used was a 3 layer gasket - aluminum, composite sandwich material and copper gasket (no markings) but I forget where I bought it! The car has covered about 18K miles since an extensive engine rebuild and the gasket honestly looks as though it has "shrunk" at one end pulling the water holes towards the cylinder! - the rear stud hole is elongated as are the bolt holes around them (the front half lines up ok!) I had bought two of the same gasket at the time and the spare is perfect for the block so it does not look like an initial fit issue that I missed.
I have ordered a head set from Classic Sunbeam Auto parts in New York and will compare that head gasket with the spare as I don't really want to see a repeat of this issue... I also intend to have the head checked by a machine shop before refitting.
Any advice always welcome.
Gary