Cracked head or block?
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Joined: Jul 2006
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Cracked head or block?
I have a 78 f-350 with a 460. Hauling a motorcycle for my friend the other day, I noticed that i was running low on coolant and my truck was running hot. While we had a minute i started the truck up and began to slowly add some antifreeze to the radiator, it took the entire gallon jug. After about 5 mile or so i noticed white smoke (steam actually) coming from the left exhaust. Being that we were out in the middle of nowhere we just pressed on, our destination was only a couple of miles away anyway. After unloading i tried to restart the motor to at least get out of the middle of the driveway. The starter had a lot of trouble turning the motor over but after a few tries eventually started (I have 2 batteries by the way). Now steam was pouring out of both sides, and oily water was running out of both sides of the exhaust. Also I checked the oil and it was about an inch and a half past the full mark, I'd have to assume the crankcase was full of antifreeze.
My question is, do I have any chance of this just being a cracked head, or does this mean that my block is toast?
I'll go ahead and get my dunce cap out for this one.
My question is, do I have any chance of this just being a cracked head, or does this mean that my block is toast?
I'll go ahead and get my dunce cap out for this one.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,111
Likes: 3
From: Lexington Mo
Dunce hat pride
That could be an expensive motorcycle tow.
Yes it could be a head that you lost, or maybe just a head gasket. You know what you have to do. But you're buddy that owns the bike needs to help with removing the heads and getting them checked. Look at the top of the block after removing the heads to see if there are cracks there. But the block should be checked too.
Yes it could be a head that you lost, or maybe just a head gasket. You know what you have to do. But you're buddy that owns the bike needs to help with removing the heads and getting them checked. Look at the top of the block after removing the heads to see if there are cracks there. But the block should be checked too.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 800
Likes: 6
From: Edmonton, Alberta Canada
if it is smoking out of both banks and filling the crankcase, probably a cracked block.
usually, but not always, both head gaskets don't go at same time. could also be a blown intake gasket as the intake is a wet style intake manifold and if you crack the intake or blow the intake gasket it could suck water into the cylinders and into the oil pan.
i would do a compression test first to see if it might be a blown gasket. if you get two cylinders side by side that are both low, then it is more than likely a blown head gasket.
rgds
Mike
usually, but not always, both head gaskets don't go at same time. could also be a blown intake gasket as the intake is a wet style intake manifold and if you crack the intake or blow the intake gasket it could suck water into the cylinders and into the oil pan.
i would do a compression test first to see if it might be a blown gasket. if you get two cylinders side by side that are both low, then it is more than likely a blown head gasket.
rgds
Mike
