Is this a blown head?

[BoostdFox]

Is this a blown head gasket?

I recently bought this 87 Gt with Vortech V-1 @ 10 lbs, TFS HP heads, TFS Street Heat intake. I was told 8.5:1 compressions but who knows. Not sure of the cam spec's either, but was told 4* of retard.

I had two problems 1) loosing coolant (no external leaks), and 2) fresh oil would turn grey/black quickly. I have no real engine experience. After reading many posts I suspected a head gasket. I removed my heads. Probably a blunder because I was not sure of the problems.

Look at these pics. I this a blown head gasket? I only see 1 or 2 possible areas where the gasket was breached, but it doesn't look like much?

 

[TT91]

Looks fine, still could leak tho. Usualy blown H-gaskets look like the got blown up..missing peices..but u should replace them since youve taken them off already.....

 

[TurboMustang370]

May have been lower intake gaskets...

 

[EMW150]

Sounds like the symptoms are head gaskets although I can't see enough of the gaskets up close to point out where. Alot of times you may just see a small track depressed in the gasket and sometimes you'll see black carbon staining on the fire rings.

 

[BoostdFox]

Sounds like the symptoms are head gaskets although I can't see enough of the gaskets up close to point out where. Alot of times you may just see a small track depressed in the gasket and sometimes you'll see black carbon staining on the fire rings.

It looks like there is a small track from one of the water jacket holes to the fire ring. The actual ring still appears to be good. Can it leak from the track through the ring? I didn't see much carbon staining on the ring.

 

[Black331Stang]

well its a 90% chance its a gasket and u've already torn it down...so just reassemble and u should be good...get good quality gaskets and u should be set. good luck

 

[IndyBlk5.0]

well its a 90% chance its a gasket and u've already torn it down...so just reassemble and u should be good...get good quality gaskets and u should be set. good luck

felpro stock replacements are good ones right?

 

[doggy6969]

felpro stock replacements are good ones right?

ive used felpro everytime ive replace gaskets work great for me. didnt blow them on 3 nitrous back fires either. and they were some flameshooters

 

[EMW150]

It looks like there is a small track from one of the water jacket holes to the fire ring. The actual ring still appears to be good. Can it leak from the track through the ring? I didn't see much carbon staining on the ring.

Yeah, if you see a track, that's the culprit. As far as gaskets I use stock repl. Felpros also. #8548 PT-2 . Excellent gaskets.