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Topic: blown2.3t headgasket? (Read 3078 times) previous topic - next topic

blown2.3t headgasket?

I was just arriving at work when I noticed smoke out the back.  I creeped it into the parking lot and oil was pouring out from the rear of the motor somewhere. It looked to be mostly the drivers side, but was nearly the width of the engine bay.  The temp never went above 185 so I hope I am good.  At lunch I went to inspect it more closely and I saw some clearish liquid on the downpipe in addition to the oil.  I swiped it and it was really greasy.....uh-oh.  Sure enough, the radiator was empty. There goes my DD for awhile.:toilet:

blown2.3t headgasket?

Reply #1 –
That sucks man.  What happened?  Too much boost, timing, bad tank of gas?

Travis

blown2.3t headgasket?

Reply #2 –
Well welcome to the 2.3 world of FORD engines. TFI MODULES AND HEAD GASKETS are the norm. But normally they dont leak oil unless the back portion of the gasket blew out which is rare. Normally they blow through cylinder 3&4. But pull it and see what gives. I have seen them blow in strange ways. Tip do not use a 1035 Fel Pro. Use the 8993
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

blown2.3t headgasket?

Reply #3 –
The only 8993 I ever used blew out just the way he describes.  Never done that EVER with a 1035. I've blown my fair share of 1035's and know when a gasket can't take what I give it.  29psi on pump gas tends to kill gaskets.  I killed that 8993 on 20psi

88 t-bird tc - 14.97 @ 90  IHI 18 psi + k+n filter...so far - NOW HX-35 @25psi - 12.75@112    348rwhp/395rwtq
78 F-150 - 11.61@120 on 175shot N20 - 12.55@110 on motor - 5200# race weight:hick:

blown2.3t headgasket?

Reply #4 –
When it comes to HG's on 2.3T i suggest two ways.  If you are going to keep the car pretty stock.  You can use the 8993.  If you are really looking to make some power, I believe the 1035 us worth the extra money.  Along with new head bolts.

Travis

blown2.3t headgasket?

Reply #5 –
i'm beginning to wonder what the max psi is going to be for my setup on pumpgas (premium).. lol i wanted to hit around 27-28
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

blown2.3t headgasket?

Reply #6 –
You Know it is strange but here is my take on the gasket. In the past years of building 2.3 fords i used many 1035 units with good results. BUT the deck and head has to be dead nuts, The 1035 is not very forgiving when it comes to a rough deck or head. The 8993 is i think the best choice for anything around 20-22 LBS. Once you exceed that you are going to have to go with a 1035. reason being the O ring setup in the 1035 seems to seal better with high boost. But i think you are correct FORD GUY on you post but fuzzy on why, I have dun a great deal of work with the 2.3 and it has an inherent crowning problem no matter what gasket you use. And milling the head just amplifies the situation. To the best of my experience with the little mill the gasket at higher boost 1035 will last you app 2-3 years depending on how many miles are put on it. And the flatness of the block and head. The  8993 is best for a rough stock block and will normally last a tad longer because ti is forgiving on block prep. I have also found a cometic gasket is also very good. Either way the engine has to be tuned and kept from running hot. Other wise it  will crown and blow the gasket. Yes i have seen the back of the head blow out OIL but that is normally a deck or head flatness issue. But their is no rime or reason where the gasket will fail as you so correctly point out. Thank You
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

blown2.3t headgasket?

Reply #7 –
Shadow that is a c for any 2.3 head and gasket. In my experience once you exceed the magic number of 20-22 the gasket is in grave danger because of crowning. Keep it on the rich side if possible and make sure it never runs hot. That is your best insurance against failure. But it will eventually will fail unless the motor is completely stock. Thanks
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

blown2.3t headgasket?

Reply #8 –
completely stock, other than the RR and SC34 with a front mount and 3" dp to 2-1/2 duals
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

blown2.3t headgasket?

Reply #9 –
No what i mean is Boost wise. The boost is the killer. Ans also detonation of course!!
I spend money I don't have, To build  cars I don't need, To impress people I don't know

HAVE YOU DRIVEN A FORD LATELY!!

blown2.3t headgasket?

Reply #10 –
well you didn't specify lol
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

blown2.3t headgasket?

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Shadow;383606
i'm beginning to wonder what the max psi is going to be for my setup on pumpgas (premium).. lol i wanted to hit around 27-28

 
With premium....I wouldn't run any more than 18-20psi max.  If you want more boost you will need more octane, your choice on how you do it.

Travis

blown2.3t headgasket?

Reply #12 –
I don't remember having problems till I was over 25psi.  I did 5 headgaskets in one summer running 93 octane at 28psi.  Haven't had any problems since I started running a 50/50 mix of 93 and 110, and has run up to 32psi on that.  Setup on my car is homeported iron head and intake, custom twin scroll header with twin tial wastegates, HX35 turbo, boport 1.9 cam and springs, 85# injectors, Bamafuel megasquirt MS1.  It made 349whp/398wtq at 28psi on 93 octane on a mustang dyno with a lousy tune.

88 t-bird tc - 14.97 @ 90  IHI 18 psi + k+n filter...so far - NOW HX-35 @25psi - 12.75@112    348rwhp/395rwtq
78 F-150 - 11.61@120 on 175shot N20 - 12.55@110 on motor - 5200# race weight:hick:

blown2.3t headgasket?

Reply #13 –
so maybe 24psi on the street and 28 at the track with a fuel mix..

NOW.. have any of you guys tried messing with a meth kit with higher boost and premium? i assume it would take care of the detonation issues
ShadowMSC.com < < Still Under Construction

R.I.P. 'Zump' 8/29/86 - 11/11/11
3- 87 TC's / 1 really mean 83 Capri RS / 94 Sonoma SAS Project on 37x12.50 TSL Radials / 88 S10 that's LITERALLY cut to pieces / 84 F150 SAS, 351M, 39.5 TSL's / 85 Toyota regular cab, 22R 5spd, 3/4" drop, my little junkyard save/daily driver

blown2.3t headgasket?

Reply #14 –
dang, I forgot about this thread.  I had the car towed back home but havent had tme to loosed a bolt yet. (honey-do list)  I cant think of anything else that would leak oil and water other than a head gasket.  It was blowing a weird colored smoke...not white or blue...kinda grey and not very thick.  i didnt notice a power loss, but then again I eased it into the parking lot.  It does have 269K, so god knows what let go!