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Blown Head Gasket
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 2:01 pm
by John_Aldrich
The head gasket blew on my friends 1923 Fordor.
I am working on getting one stuck bolt out (you guessed it, farthest one aft on the port side) but I would like to know if there is anything I need to look for while replacing this gasket.
Something that occasionally accompanies a blown head gasket.
Thanks in advance.
Re: Blown Head Gasket
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 2:57 pm
by walber
Check the head and block to ensure they are flat. A warped head (or less likely block) is not terribly uncommon, especially if the engine has recently been overheated.
Re: Blown Head Gasket
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 3:16 pm
by John kuehn
Make sure both the head and block surfaces are smooth. Don’t know for sure but the surfaces of the block probably aren’t warped enough for the head to leak but do check both.
While you have the head off by all means use air to blow out all the passageways in the block and head. Use a piece of wire or an old speedometer cable to clean them out.
Once you get all the head bolts out clean out the bolt holes. Use a ice pick or small screwdriver to clean out the bottom of the holes. Use the correct size tap to clean the threads in the bolt holes.
Carefully use a 1/4” drill to clean out the small water passageways in both the head and block. You will be surprised how stopped up they can be.
Re: Blown Head Gasket
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 4:56 pm
by Steve Jelf
Also be sure you don't get the gasket on backwards. The front and rear water passages are different sizes, but that's easily missed if you're not looking for it.
Re: Blown Head Gasket
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 6:58 pm
by John_Aldrich
Thanks. I'll do that!
Re: Blown Head Gasket
Posted: Fri Aug 16, 2019 8:57 pm
by Kevin Pharis
“farthest one aft on the port side”...? Wait a minute... I’m confused! I’m no sailor but aren’t the ports on the starboard side...?!
Re: Blown Head Gasket
Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2019 1:33 am
by kmatt
Kevin Pharis: My dearly departed Dad, John Matthiesen, would have liked your joke, he was in the US Navy and in the Pacific from 42-45 for most of the war, recalled during Korea and ran a Navy ordnance reconditioning shop in Japan and was a State Side instructor at Treasure Island during the early part of Nam. I think that it would be Port of the left for the head bolt and Port's on the right for the Model T valves, but who knows because I am just kidding.