Blown Head Gasket

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John_Aldrich
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Blown Head Gasket

Post by John_Aldrich » Fri Aug 16, 2019 2:01 pm

The head gasket blew on my friends 1923 Fordor.

I am working on getting one stuck bolt out (you guessed it, farthest one aft on the port side) but I would like to know if there is anything I need to look for while replacing this gasket.

Something that occasionally accompanies a blown head gasket.

Thanks in advance.
John Aldrich
Typical Model T Addict

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walber
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Re: Blown Head Gasket

Post by walber » Fri Aug 16, 2019 2:57 pm

Check the head and block to ensure they are flat. A warped head (or less likely block) is not terribly uncommon, especially if the engine has recently been overheated.


John kuehn
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Re: Blown Head Gasket

Post by John kuehn » Fri Aug 16, 2019 3:16 pm

Make sure both the head and block surfaces are smooth. Don’t know for sure but the surfaces of the block probably aren’t warped enough for the head to leak but do check both.

While you have the head off by all means use air to blow out all the passageways in the block and head. Use a piece of wire or an old speedometer cable to clean them out.
Once you get all the head bolts out clean out the bolt holes. Use a ice pick or small screwdriver to clean out the bottom of the holes. Use the correct size tap to clean the threads in the bolt holes.

Carefully use a 1/4” drill to clean out the small water passageways in both the head and block. You will be surprised how stopped up they can be.

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Steve Jelf
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Re: Blown Head Gasket

Post by Steve Jelf » Fri Aug 16, 2019 4:56 pm

Also be sure you don't get the gasket on backwards. The front and rear water passages are different sizes, but that's easily missed if you're not looking for it.
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring


Topic author
John_Aldrich
Posts: 91
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:46 am
First Name: John
Last Name: Aldrich
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Location: Kapowsin WA

Re: Blown Head Gasket

Post by John_Aldrich » Fri Aug 16, 2019 6:58 pm

Thanks. I'll do that!
John Aldrich
Typical Model T Addict


Kevin Pharis
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Re: Blown Head Gasket

Post by Kevin Pharis » Fri Aug 16, 2019 8:57 pm

“farthest one aft on the port side”...? Wait a minute... I’m confused! I’m no sailor but aren’t the ports on the starboard side...?! ;)

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kmatt
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Re: Blown Head Gasket

Post by kmatt » Sat Aug 17, 2019 1:33 am

Kevin Pharis: My dearly departed Dad, John Matthiesen, would have liked your joke, he was in the US Navy and in the Pacific from 42-45 for most of the war, recalled during Korea and ran a Navy ordnance reconditioning shop in Japan and was a State Side instructor at Treasure Island during the early part of Nam. I think that it would be Port of the left for the head bolt and Port's on the right for the Model T valves, but who knows because I am just kidding.

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