I'm still in shock, but I think I just blew a head gasket on my engine. I was out hot Rodding around ( semi-normal) but this time I wrapped it up to about 5400-5500 rpm. I felt/heard something right at that second. But at that same time I shifted so it didn't do much. But a few minutes later I saw the temp gauge starting to rise. Then I seen smoke/steam under the hood. I got home a mile later and there's steam coming up from the passenger side valve cover. And the passenger tailpipe is spitting coolant.. So, give me the worst. I'm ready for it.

 

pray for just a head gasket being the problem .

 

High RPMs is not what blows head gaskets. Something else happened. Is it running on 8 cylinders? Check coolant level. Check for leaks. Check for presence of oil and/or exhaust in the cooling system...
Pull the plugs and see if any are steam-cleaned. Run compression test on the suspected cylinder.

 

You got some problems sir. How's it running wise? Pull the plugs on that side of engine and see what they look like. Hopefully the gasket just went and nothing internal.

 

It was running normal at first, but it started missing later. It is spitting coolant out the passenger side exhaust. Not much of it left. I pulled the VC and all the rockers and pushrods look good.

 

I'm praying...

 

I would identify the cylinder, verify coolant in the cylinder and remove that head.

 

I think there's the possibility that the head bolts may have come loose. I don't know what else could have caused a mechanical failure.

 

waiting on the motor to cool down a bit, then I'm doing just that. I have the day off work tomorrow so...

 

If that's what you think then check head bolt torque before you pull it apart.

 

Yes, I'm going to. I'll pull plugs tonight and make sure the cylinders are clear, then I'll set to work on the head in the morning.

 

Huh, all the plugs look normal.

 

Here is the moment. I felt it a split second before I shifted.


On the bright side, she sounds good.

 

Sorry to hear about this. Hope its not too serious.

Might want to do a quick compression test.

 

Hydraulic lifters? Could have floated a valve and had some inadvertent contact. I've been meaning to get one of those bore scopes from HF when they go on sale so I can peek in the spark plug hole. Three possibilities because you are seeing coolant:
1. Head gasket
2. Head cracked
3. Block cracked
What's the bore currently on your block?