Blown Head Gasket???

[wilcom]

Need some help from the more experienced guys on this one.

Heres the storey;

I replace my intake manifold on my 1970 bronco, 302. Used the Eldebrock Preformer and apparently when I placed the manifold gaskets one didnt quite seal property around the water inlet on the one of the heads. Long and short of it is after running the engine water leaked into the manifold valley and then into the crank case watering down the oil. I saw the water temp gauge climb to 230 deg and shut it down. The oil temp stayed pretty much the same as I remember.

I replaced the manifold gasket properly this time and cranked her up. She ran great during the warm up and then I noticed the left side exhaust (I have Dual) started smoking or steaming vapor. I notice some drops of water dripping from the exhaust pipe and tasted it as anitfreeze.

I guess this means some how I blew the head gasket???? Is this the only way it could happen??? Any input??

 

[Seabronc]

The only other possibility I can think of, is that water is getting into the intake manifold and then into the cylinders.

Good luck,

>-

 

[wilcom]

The only other possibility I can think of, is that water is getting into the intake manifold and then into the cylinders.
Good luck,

>-

Thought about that but how?? I there is only 2 ports on the new intake manifold and 2 in front of the heads and 2 in back. The back ones are blocked off on the new (and stock) manifold. I caulked around them like the manual says. The only way I can think of as far as the manifold goes is that I torqued it down to hard and it carcked at the point where water enter and runs thru it and into the intake for the pistions. I pulled only the first two plugs and they were clean....no water or antifreez deposits. Didnt have time for the back 2.

Eldebrock techs say have a mechanic do a pressure test....guess its like a radiator pressure test where you find out if the water is pushing thru the manifold and into the exhaust. Ever hear of this one??

 

[bigbluebronc]

Do a quick tear down on the top of the motor(with parts in hand should only take a day) inspect and inspect again and rebuild, I knew a guy who did a complete rebuild tear down and rebuild and I looked at the heads before he shipped them off and all he had was one broken valve spring the key is inspect all parts and save some $$$$

 

[wilcom]

Do a quick tear down on the top of the motor(with parts in hand should only take a day) inspect and inspect again and rebuild, I knew a guy who did a complete rebuild tear down and rebuild and I looked at the heads before he shipped them off and all he had was one broken valve spring the key is inspect all parts and save some $$$$

Got it.

 

[Justshootme84]

Yes, it's possible that the intake manifold to head gaskets can leak water into one of the cylinders. That's what happened on my 84 351W H.O. with the Edelbrock Performer intake. It ran for about 2 years, then one day began to knock really bad. After tearing down the motor, coolant had leaked into the rear cylinder on each side and bent the connecting rods. The rear water passages were completely gummed up with crud, which may have caused the gasskets to leak. If you're working on a fresh motor, it's best to use the intake manifold gaskets with the red line around the water ports, to help get a better seal. I also use a thin bead of red RTV, then torque the bolts down according to the sequence specified in the Haynes or Chilton manual. Good luck, JSM84

 

[bigbluebronc]

Got it.

one other idea, did ya check the heads for ah straitness? you said the motor got hot maybe one or the other warped and now they wont seal correctly?

You must have a race motor too run that 750 cfm carb on a 302, must be a screamer!