Re: 288 Head Gasket Planning

Posted by TxGoat On 2023/6/4 20:15:18

It seems unlikely to me that a crack would suddenly occur, especially across an intake valve seat, unless the engine was severely overheated or the water jackets frozen at the time. I'd think it far more likely that a head gasket failed. Is the old head gasket steel over asbestos? Steel faced gaskets can corrode while sitting. Copper faced gaskets can also corrode, but they usually don't. K&W used to offer a pretty good head/block sealer product. I'd install a new gasket, making every effort to do a proper job, including cleaning everything surgically clean and checking the head bolt lengths carefully and making sure the bolt holes in the block are clean to bottom and have good threads. Then add water only for coolant, and run the engine and do the retorque procedures by the book. If it still leaks, you have a problem, and one of the block sealer products might be worth a try. Don't overlook the possibility the head is cracked. It's not likley, but it can happen. Clean it up and give it a good looking over, paying close attention to the block side of the head.