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Topic: Head gasket longevity? (Read 1523 times) previous topic - next topic

Head gasket longevity?

I bought my tbird (3.8) w/ 160K on the odo.  Is there a chance that I still have the original head gaskets?  I don't know the average life span of a stock head gasket and I'm just worried that one day it's going to pop and ruin my day.  I don't know if it was changed previously and was just wondering if stock gaskets can make it through that many miles.  I did a compression check before I bought it to make sure that they weren't blown (tested 140 across the board), but that probably doesn't really tell me much about their current condition.  Any ideas?
1987 Thunderbird 3.8. Sold :(

1982 Thunderbird - Goodbye 255, Hello 302!

Re: Head gasket longevity?

Reply #1 –
it varies, im on 180K on stock gaskets, my dad blew his at 174K, my friend blew his at 207K, i know of people who are at 155K with no problems
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: Head gasket longevity?

Reply #2 –
I've got one 3.8 with 125k on the original gaskets, the other has 213k on the original gaskets.

If you have absolutely no external coolant leaks, but you mysteriously lose small amounts of coolant, chances are your head gaskets are weeping (A precursor to outright failure). Other than that, there isn't much you can do to find out their current condition.