Blown head gasket...need help please

[Daleg70]

Re: Blown head gasket...need help please

I just used Fel-Pro for my engine rebuild (5.7Gi) -- and there do not appear to be any issues. I was happy how it bolted down and torqued. My next door neighbor -- a money drag racer uses Fel-Pro.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Blown head gasket...need help please

I'm assuming it's an illusion, but that #1 piston looks cracked... Any chance that cylinder was taking on water? There would be extra compression going on if there was..?

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Blown head gasket...need help please

It's possible that the head wasn't torqued properly. If the block is true and the head machined, you should be good to bolt it back together. I'd spend the extra couple bucks on a FelPro head gasket set, used them before without problems.

As said before, run a tap through all the head bolt holes, clean up the head bolts with a wire wheel or wire brush and dip the bolt threads in Permatex Aviation Sealant before assembly. After the firing it up (adjusting the valves and letting it run for 15-30 minutes to come up to temp thoroughly), shut it down and let it cool overnight, then go back and re-torque the head bolts.

If you're worried about the distributor module being out and advancing the timing too much, you can check the timing curve with an advance timing light. Run the engine at different RPM's (idle, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500) and check each time to make sure the timing advance is right. I've done this myself, buy it's easiest with one person at the throttle adjusting RPM and another person checking the timing. You would need to know the Volvo 3.0 timing curve though....

 

[Walt T]

Re: Blown head gasket...need help please

Yea I saw that too frantically, Not sure what to make of it. I assume he's seen it too, seems obvious.

 

[getinmerry]

Re: Blown head gasket...need help please

Sorry I was slow to respond. a cold is kicking my a**. Anyway, it was just a piece of hair/fuzz that caught the flash just right. I thought I missed something on my initial inspection of the actual piston. I couldn't stand it any longer...had to drag my butt out of bed and go check the piston first hand....whew!

 

[getinmerry]

Re: Blown head gasket...need help please

Today is the big day! Got all the parts I need together finally. Found out that I have an HO head. Nowhere-anywhere does it mention this in the motor specs/ model numbers. When the intake gasket came in, it wasn't correct. The only other option was the HO gasket, but it was the correct one. The hardest part of getting together all the parts was the thermostat housing gasket. NOBODY had it in stock anywhere locally. Went on line, ordered it twice...both times it came back out of stock. I guess this is the wrong time of year to be doing this as everyone is getting final service before the long winter boat nap. The head was machined 4 thousands of an inch. The valves were done. New head bolts all set. Block threads all chased with a tap then cleaned well. Got the torque wrench calibration checked by the local snap-on dealer. Everything seems to be ready. Wish me luck. Will report back soon with surgery results.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Blown head gasket...need help please

Just remember that you need sealant on any head bolts that enter the water jacket or you will be doing this again. And you also need to understand that the lifters need adjusting when all is back together. Don't just crank down on the rocker arm nuts. There is a process for this. Again, do it wrong and you get to do it again.

 

[gator fan josh]

Re: Blown head gasket...need help please

I have a 2000 3.0 GSPEFS and kept blowing headgaskets, replaced it 2 times and it blew out each time as soon as I put a load on it. It would run good on muffs but once I tried to get on plane it would blow in the same manor as yours. I got frustrated and took it to a mechanic, they replaced the gasket and said I had done everything correct, It turned out that once it was back together they checked the timing and it was 40 degrees off. The culprit ended up being the module and the small coil in the distributor for the module (#13 in picture below). I would definitely check the timing once you get the gasket replaced if you suspect the ignition module is not advancing the timing correctly.
Just my experience I thought I would share.


Good Luck

 

[getinmerry]

Re: Blown head gasket...need help please

The good news is everything is back together and running really well. I ran it for about 20 minutes on muffs to bring it up to temp so I could re-torque the head the next day. It ran smooth as silk. While doing the reassembly prep, I discovered that the manifold gasket had been leaking for quite some time. There was a lot of carbon on the red painted surface outside the manifold. I already had the manifold part of the head resurfaced when the head was done, so I took the manifold in for resurfacing too. My guess is I was running lean at the time of detonation since the exhaust is also the intake on this motor. I'm still suspecting an ignition module or timing problem since It had been a problem when I first bought the boat, but it will have to wait until next spring. The boat is winterized now and ready for it's nap. Goodbye summer ;-(

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Blown head gasket...need help please

My guess is I was running lean at the time of detonation since the exhaust is also the intake on this motor.(

If you had an air leak at your input manifold, that could explain a lot.