Blown Head Gasket on a 351W - How bad is it?
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
There isn't a head gasket in the world that doesn't benefit from a re-torque after a couple of heat cycles. FelPro "Blue" claim to not need it but I've seen 5.0's take more twist after a run-in period. If you pull all the plugs and spin it to clear any possible water in the cylinders, change the oil, and re-torque, I'd say you've got a 50-50 chance of coming out clean.
Sam
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
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From: Austin
Hmmm.. This engine was built up from a short block 351W with a Summit Edelbrock Top End Package - The top end was brand new - the bottom end was rebuilt. Oil coming out from one place above the 2nd plug
from the front end on the drivers side. The A/C is on top of that area but not much else.
Once we get it off what else should we look for while we are in there?
It's hard to say what "caused" the head gasket to go - the exhaust gasket went on the same side. We did not do any re-torquing of the bolts so if that's needed it's our miss.
Ben in Austin
from the front end on the drivers side. The A/C is on top of that area but not much else.
Once we get it off what else should we look for while we are in there?
It's hard to say what "caused" the head gasket to go - the exhaust gasket went on the same side. We did not do any re-torquing of the bolts so if that's needed it's our miss.
Ben in Austin
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
Likes: 14
From: Pflugerville, tx
Hmmm.. This engine was built up from a short block 351W with a Summit Edelbrock Top End Package - The top end was brand new - the bottom end was rebuilt. Oil coming out from one place above the 2nd plug
from the front end on the drivers side. The A/C is on top of that area but not much else.
Once we get it off what else should we look for while we are in there?
It's hard to say what "caused" the head gasket to go - the exhaust gasket went on the same side. We did not do any re-torquing of the bolts so if that's needed it's our miss.
Ben in Austin
from the front end on the drivers side. The A/C is on top of that area but not much else.
Once we get it off what else should we look for while we are in there?
It's hard to say what "caused" the head gasket to go - the exhaust gasket went on the same side. We did not do any re-torquing of the bolts so if that's needed it's our miss.
Ben in Austin
Usually don't leak oil when the gasket goes. Maybe a valve cover gasket? All the oil is on the top side of the head.
Any smoke at the exhaust?
Take off the rad cap (cold ) and see if u get bubbles in the radiator.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,283
Likes: 1,046
From: NM
Agreed, although there are passages thru the HG for oil to return, but they are (IIRC) at the intake manifold side of the head, front and rear. The oil isn't under any pressure so it's unusual for them to leak there.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,793
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From: Austin
Sam & Ross,
I'll take a run at it tomorrow with Zack. I see oil leaking up front above the spark plugs & blue smoke out the exhaust. That's all I've got - would be nice if it was just the valve cover gasket. The semester is over for Zack - the truck coming home from college "repair list" is:
o Engine Gasket leak & blue smoke.
o Turn signals no longer work - something in the knock off Ebay column..
o Someone shut the hood too hard - cracking the paint & front support.
I think I'll run Zack around a bit fixing the broken stuff. I am glad it's getting daily driver use .....
Ben in Austin
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
I'll take a run at it tomorrow with Zack. I see oil leaking up front above the spark plugs & blue smoke out the exhaust. That's all I've got - would be nice if it was just the valve cover gasket. The semester is over for Zack - the truck coming home from college "repair list" is:
o Engine Gasket leak & blue smoke.
o Turn signals no longer work - something in the knock off Ebay column..
o Someone shut the hood too hard - cracking the paint & front support.
I think I'll run Zack around a bit fixing the broken stuff. I am glad it's getting daily driver use .....
Ben in Austin
Ben in Austin
1950 F1
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,283
Likes: 1,046
From: NM
It could still be breaking in. Does it smoke under load or at idle only? How bad is it smoking?
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oldmerc
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,538
Likes: 5
From: Edmonton,Alberta
I'd be doing a dry then a wet compression test . For sure check for any valve cover leaks,
that oil above the spark plug sure sounds like one . A vacuum gauge can tell you a lot about what is going on in that engine . Any coolant in oil or oil in coolant , both are indicators of head gasket problems .
that oil above the spark plug sure sounds like one . A vacuum gauge can tell you a lot about what is going on in that engine . Any coolant in oil or oil in coolant , both are indicators of head gasket problems .
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,577
Likes: 29
From: Pekin, IL
I was just reading through this. Ben said oil leaking ABOVE the spark plugs and blue smoke. Blue smoke where? dripping on the headers?
Doesn't sound like a head gasket at all. sounds like the gasket on top of the head between the head and the valve cover. Ben aka valve cover gasket.
Ben just from reading your past posts i know you don't do a ton of engine work, and thats ok! How about some pics?
I can see you calling a valve cover gasket a head gasket. Head gasket is between the head and the block. valve cover gasket between the head and valve cover. I am not trying to belittle you, just trying to see things from your level of experience. And if you feel like I am offending you, that's not my intention.
Doesn't sound like a head gasket at all. sounds like the gasket on top of the head between the head and the valve cover. Ben aka valve cover gasket.
Ben just from reading your past posts i know you don't do a ton of engine work, and thats ok! How about some pics?
I can see you calling a valve cover gasket a head gasket. Head gasket is between the head and the block. valve cover gasket between the head and valve cover. I am not trying to belittle you, just trying to see things from your level of experience. And if you feel like I am offending you, that's not my intention.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,577
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From: Pekin, IL
Ben everybody thinks "blue smoke" = coming out of the exhaust pipes. Blue smoke is oil smoke. White smoke is antifreeze. Black smoke is fuel.
It is VERY common for the valve cover gaskets to need retightened after a 1000 miles. I am gonna guess thats your problem and you got oil dripping down and its burning off on the headers or even just around the headers. The blue smoke is either in the engine compartment and/or blowing away from the radiator fan.
THAT would be a simple fix! Tell me I'm right?
It is VERY common for the valve cover gaskets to need retightened after a 1000 miles. I am gonna guess thats your problem and you got oil dripping down and its burning off on the headers or even just around the headers. The blue smoke is either in the engine compartment and/or blowing away from the radiator fan.
THAT would be a simple fix! Tell me I'm right?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Pekin, IL
DUH
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Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2010
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From: Austin
Hey Jeff,
I'm never offended on here - always learning. I'll have a better look at it on Wednesday so I'm partially going on what my son tells me & my quick look under the hood.
It's tough to diagnose as there never is just one issue & they tend to overlap. Some of it is having a 20 year old driving.
o The exhaust gasket blew but Zack didn't know what the problem really was - He thought it was the nearby spark plug was bad so he attempted to replace it & the wire. He wasn't successful so he ran it with an exhaust leak & a non-working plug for ohhh say 4 weeks. Not sure what problems that caused...
Now there is an oil leak just above the exhaust leak area - let's call it a Valve cover gasket leak for now..
I also put in a more restrictive muffler several months back & I'm wondering if that caused the back pressure to build up too much.
Our engine is in the 400+HP range..
I'll report back more as I find out more information. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's a simple valve cover gasket & that blue smoke isn't coming from the tailpipe but burning off from the pipes up front.
Ben in Austin
I'm never offended on here - always learning. I'll have a better look at it on Wednesday so I'm partially going on what my son tells me & my quick look under the hood.
It's tough to diagnose as there never is just one issue & they tend to overlap. Some of it is having a 20 year old driving.
o The exhaust gasket blew but Zack didn't know what the problem really was - He thought it was the nearby spark plug was bad so he attempted to replace it & the wire. He wasn't successful so he ran it with an exhaust leak & a non-working plug for ohhh say 4 weeks. Not sure what problems that caused...
Now there is an oil leak just above the exhaust leak area - let's call it a Valve cover gasket leak for now..
I also put in a more restrictive muffler several months back & I'm wondering if that caused the back pressure to build up too much.
Our engine is in the 400+HP range..
I'll report back more as I find out more information. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's a simple valve cover gasket & that blue smoke isn't coming from the tailpipe but burning off from the pipes up front.
Ben in Austin
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,068
Likes: 7
From: Moyie, BC Canada
Hey Jeff,
I'm never offended on here - always learning. I'll have a better look at it on Wednesday so I'm partially going on what my son tells me & my quick look under the hood.
It's tough to diagnose as there never is just one issue & they tend to overlap. Some of it is having a 20 year old driving.
o The exhaust gasket blew but Zack didn't know what the problem really was - He thought it was the nearby spark plug was bad so he attempted to replace it & the wire. He wasn't successful so he ran it with an exhaust leak & a non-working plug for ohhh say 4 weeks. Not sure what problems that caused...
Now there is an oil leak just above the exhaust leak area - let's call it a Valve cover gasket leak for now..
I also put in a more restrictive muffler several months back & I'm wondering if that caused the back pressure to build up too much.
Our engine is in the 400+HP range..
I'll report back more as I find out more information. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's a simple valve cover gasket & that blue smoke isn't coming from the tailpipe but burning off from the pipes up front.
Ben in Austin
I'm never offended on here - always learning. I'll have a better look at it on Wednesday so I'm partially going on what my son tells me & my quick look under the hood.
It's tough to diagnose as there never is just one issue & they tend to overlap. Some of it is having a 20 year old driving.
o The exhaust gasket blew but Zack didn't know what the problem really was - He thought it was the nearby spark plug was bad so he attempted to replace it & the wire. He wasn't successful so he ran it with an exhaust leak & a non-working plug for ohhh say 4 weeks. Not sure what problems that caused...
Now there is an oil leak just above the exhaust leak area - let's call it a Valve cover gasket leak for now..
I also put in a more restrictive muffler several months back & I'm wondering if that caused the back pressure to build up too much.
Our engine is in the 400+HP range..
I'll report back more as I find out more information. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's a simple valve cover gasket & that blue smoke isn't coming from the tailpipe but burning off from the pipes up front.
Ben in Austin
Last edited by Mervy49; May 6, 2012 at 10:05 PM. Reason: slilpneg mtasike
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,283
Likes: 1,046
From: NM
As far as the muffler change, that could make it run richer than desired, possibly to the point of it washing oil off the cylinder walls, but it would have to be pretty extreme to do that. On the other hand, running with a bad plug could really soak the combustion chamber with unburned oil and soot, and make it burn oil for a while after correcting that.