Not good not good blown head gasket

[Garys1969RR]

Yes, the head gasket has a narrow slit over the water passages between the head and block. That is the way they are designed. I think they call them steam holes. They slow down the escaping steam that forms around the ex port when you are doing a burnout, or when the motor is under heavy load. There is a tremendous amount of heat produced in the head around the ex port, and the coolant can be quickly vaporized in this area.

 

[68gtxman]

Try some Blue Devil the next time you have a head gasket leak: https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...v5OVMyUMp-jwv8-y33RoCViIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I've used it successfully several times and it's guaranteed to work!

 

[Garys1969RR]

In the second pic from top, it looks like some discoloration between the far left cyl bore and the top coolant passage. Check this area closely, maybe lay a straight edge across the head and see if it's low in that spot. That's the only spot I can see any possibility of pressure escaping, and even then it's not likely. Very few head gasket problems are ever seen in these motors, due to each cylinder having 5 head bolts holding it down. I have never had one leak in 40 years, even at 13.5 to 1 C Ratio, using a steel shim head gasket with Copper Coat or aluminum spray paint.

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

Well **** me got the driver sides off and the gasket doesn't have any exact sign of tear or break But look at this first cylinder!

something got in there and did some damage there are no holes in the piston top and the edges look ok I think something got in there and bounced around pretty good before getting exhausted, wonder if it caused some enough damage to the gasket edge to get a leak?

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

Try some Blue Devil the next time you have a head gasket leak: https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...v5OVMyUMp-jwv8-y33RoCViIQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I've used it successfully several times and it's guaranteed to work!

The site says it's for 4 & 6 cly? in the question and answer section the dude says it will damage your water pump? wtf is that lol

 

[68gtxman]

The site says it's for 4 & 6 cly? in the question and answer section the dude says it will damage your water pump? wtf is that lol

They have different quantities for different engine types. Maybe this size is just for the smaller engines so search for the larger (quart?) size. It never damaged my water pumps.

 

[IQ52]

Looks like piston chicken pox.

Oh, and if you didn't have the Stealth heads surfaced before you installed them, they are warped. Every OOTB Stealth head I have ever had need to be milled flat, every one.

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

Looks like piston chicken pox.

Oh, and if you didn't have the Stealth heads surfaced before you installed them, they are warped. Every OOTB Stealth head I have ever had need to be milled flat, every one.

Yeah what an experience with these warped, bad guides holy mackerel....I don't even want them anymore except to get them fixed and put on my 383

 

[XCELLR8]

Well I will have a set of Stealth heads for sale lol anyone interested let me know I'll give you a good deal.

I don't even want them anymore except to get them fixed and put on my 383

You change your mind already.

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

lmao hey why not new seals and valves plus a plan job good to go. guessing $600 or I am willing to sell too lol heck shoot me an offer Who's got cut outs in 3" I'd consider a trade.

 

[Garys1969RR]

Is the flat area of the head damaged too? Hard to tell from the pics. Shouldn't hurt the gasket. I think pinging/detonation can cause damage similar to that.

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

Head has very little damage to the flat area in the chamber othing else, whatever the hell it was slammed around pretty good after it was exploded.

Here is a zoomed in picture. Top circled is the worst there is some opposite corner at the bottom.

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

Another thing I noticed, is the oil soaking with these heads. I'm not sure it is the rings or the seals on these heads causing it. since I have ran this motor its soaked the plugs with oil and seems to run super rich all the time.
Personally I'm keeping my fingers crossed its the seals, looking closely at the intake valve the oil soaking seemt to be hovered around them like its coming through the intake valve opening

Also made the mistake of getting plugs that are too short and don't stick into the chamber.

oil soaked

Condition as pulled

Comparison of NGK plugs short one is race plugs - Still worked but can only imagine the blast is reduced?

 

[dvw]

I find it hard to believe that there were enough pieces in that chamber alone to cause as many damage spots as shown while none of this debris crossed into another cylinder. This fact along with the amount oil in the chambers smells of detonation. I'd be looking at the ring lands on that piston first. Second the oil source needs to be corrected. Whether rings, cylinder wall finish, or intake leak. This motor is not healthy.
Doug

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

I find it hard to believe that there were enough pieces in that chamber alone to cause as many damage spots as shown while none of this debris crossed into another cylinder. This fact along with the amount oil in the chambers smells of detonation. I'd be looking at the ring lands on that piston first. Second the oil source needs to be corrected. Whether rings, cylinder wall finish, or intake leak. This motor is not healthy.
Doug

The motor is fine, it's these cheap *** 440source heads and a previous overheat and I found which washer is missing that may be the culprit.

The seals on the heads are cheap and didn't last very long about 2 years of use? before they gave way and started letting oil into the cylinders.

I bore scoped the cylinder from the crank side and the rings look in tact I can still see hone cross hatching on the walls.

back in 2015 I think I had a big overheat when during a spirited romp a freeze plug blew out due to the lower hose collapsing and so much pressure then I lost all water and temps shot to 250 instantly before i could shut it down. I think and after effect of this was the blown head gasket just enough to let exhaust gasses into the coolant.


I think I found which washer fell into the plenum and into that cylinder, I seem to be missing one on one of my ARP stainless steel manifold bolts. the only bolt out of all the bolts this one is missing I just never noticed it.

Here is the piston now. Taking the advice of my head builder I clean up the piston and it is good to go now.

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

Toth heads on just need to wrap it up. Liking the porting on these and the valves and seals look good. Push rod clearance already done for me. Very happy with these.

Compared to Stealth untouched heads -