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.
Blown Head Gasket
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Topic author - Posts: 91
- Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:46 am
- First Name: John
- Last Name: Aldrich
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Blown Head Gasket
John Aldrich
Typical Model T Addict
Typical Model T Addict
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Re: Blown Head Gasket
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.
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Re: Blown Head Gasket
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.
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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Re: Blown Head Gasket
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
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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Topic author - Posts: 91
- Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2019 10:46 am
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- First Name: Kevin
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Re: Blown Head Gasket
“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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Re: Blown Head Gasket
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.