The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Another 235 copper head gasket failed to seal

Update:

The gasket arrived today and I had some time so I pulled the head for inspection. I didn't find any debris on the surface that looked like it could have caused a leak. The head side of the gasket looked fresh with a few areas that looked like it had started to oxidize. The block side had more tarnishing but nothing around the water jackets so I really couldn't see any "leak path" marks on the gasket. Upon closer inspection I noticed that the crush ring meant for the water passage around the spark plug hole was only partially crushed, see photo

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/gwtj-iOlxbSIE9XfU-e8I77Dsnwl3qS3kis-JY3pdR4?feat=directlink

Also on the head you can see the witness mark and the actual shape of the feature that hole was meant to seal.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/LPhhRRLhhrEay0Ptk93Gpr7Dsnwl3qS3kis-JY3pdR4?feat=directlink

Is it possible that because the ring wasn't crushed it caused improper sealing? In one spot the head had cut through the copper on one hole edge. I don't know, it's not a smoking gun but its the only visual indicator something was wrong with the gasket or head. I checked the head and block with a straight edge and feeler gauge, the thinnest I have is .0015" and I couldn't get it to go under the straight edge on the head or block so I think its all pretty flat. I also checked the bolts and there is plenty of thread left on the few I checked when installed through the head. I am going to check every one tomorrow to make sure.

Last weird item I found was some weird gunk in the cooling passages as see in this photo.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/AUYrzKgIDYxCM-D59DTzH77Dsnwl3qS3kis-JY3pdR4?feat=directlink

I have only run the engine for about 30 minutes for initial warm up and everything was clean; hot tanked head an block, new water pump, new radiator hoses, new radiator (bought in 2000 but stored since), new antifreeze, and distilled water.

Tomorrow I hope to clean everything up and reinstall with the new fiber head gasket. If anyone has any thoughts on the photos, especially the coolant gunk, let me know.