The Ford Barn

Ed Saniewski · 05-23-2013, 06:35 AM

A friend of mine started blowing smoke the other day so he checked the spark plugs and found # 3 had lots of oil. He pulled the head and was planing on pulling the piston to check the wiper ring. When he drained the oil he found antifreeze in the pan. The head is a 5.5 and the gasket was what was recommended be installed. When I looked at the head gasket, only one side was stuck to the head. The other side showed no sign of the silicone sticking to the block. My question is should the gasket stick on both sides equally? He is worried there might be a crack in the block, but couldn't the antifreeze have seeped into the cylinders if the silicone never stuck? I hate to see him pull the motor because of a gasket.
The other question is where is the oil coming from? could it come from an intake valve or is it the wiper ring? Thanks Ed Saniewski

Mitch//pa · 05-23-2013, 06:52 AM

if it was me i would be pulling that piston out and doing some examination, also ck the babbit for coolant damage and cking the block and head for cracks/warpage.. i also would not use a silicone gasket when i go back together.i had more than one bite me no matter how many times it was torqued....JMO

john in illinois · 05-23-2013, 07:30 AM

As mentioned check head for warp. It is good practice to have it surfaced if it leaks. I agree that silicone gaskets are not new and improved. I have quit using them and went to a Best graphtite model B gasket for Snyder head.

Good luck,John

Ed Saniewski · 05-24-2013, 06:13 AM

I have always used the copper Fel-pro gasket and had great results. The one time I saw a silicone modern gasket removed it was a mess removing and cleaning the deck and head. I am hoping his problem is just the fact that the gasket did not stick and allowed the antifreeze to seep into the cylinders. This engine was rebuilt about 4 years ago and the head was supplied by the re-builder.
As for the other problem I think he will be pulling that piston this weekend.

PC/SR · 05-24-2013, 10:36 AM

Look real close around the exhaust valve for a crack from the valve seat to the cylinder. Clean it to shiny bare metal and use a magnifying glass.

Jason in TX · 05-24-2013, 10:54 AM

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I know it's a pain, but another option is just check the block and head for flatness, go get the $25 copper felpro and some coperkote and put the head back on and drive it. If the smoke goes away, it was just the head gasket. If it still smokes, you have a bigger problem. If water got into the cylinder, that can make the plug look wet and "oily" If there is not an efficient burn in a cylinder, the plugs will look black and wet.

Sometimes keeping it simple can fix the problem, too

05-23-2013, 06:35 AM	#1
Ed Saniewski Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Denville NJ Posts: 964	Another Head gasket question A friend of mine started blowing smoke the other day so he checked the spark plugs and found # 3 had lots of oil. He pulled the head and was planing on pulling the piston to check the wiper ring. When he drained the oil he found antifreeze in the pan. The head is a 5.5 and the gasket was what was recommended be installed. When I looked at the head gasket, only one side was stuck to the head. The other side showed no sign of the silicone sticking to the block. My question is should the gasket stick on both sides equally? He is worried there might be a crack in the block, but couldn't the antifreeze have seeped into the cylinders if the silicone never stuck? I hate to see him pull the motor because of a gasket. The other question is where is the oil coming from? could it come from an intake valve or is it the wiper ring? Thanks Ed Saniewski __________________ Model A Ford Club of New Jersey http://www.mafcnj.org Model A Pick Up Owners and Enthusiasts https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/group.php?groupid=5

05-23-2013, 06:52 AM	#2
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Another Head gasket question if it was me i would be pulling that piston out and doing some examination, also ck the babbit for coolant damage and cking the block and head for cracks/warpage.. i also would not use a silicone gasket when i go back together.i had more than one bite me no matter how many times it was torqued....JMO

05-23-2013, 07:30 AM	#3
john in illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Illinois Posts: 2,184	Re: Another Head gasket question As mentioned check head for warp. It is good practice to have it surfaced if it leaks. I agree that silicone gaskets are not new and improved. I have quit using them and went to a Best graphtite model B gasket for Snyder head. Good luck,John

05-24-2013, 06:13 AM	#4
Ed Saniewski Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Denville NJ Posts: 964	Re: Another Head gasket question I have always used the copper Fel-pro gasket and had great results. The one time I saw a silicone modern gasket removed it was a mess removing and cleaning the deck and head. I am hoping his problem is just the fact that the gasket did not stick and allowed the antifreeze to seep into the cylinders. This engine was rebuilt about 4 years ago and the head was supplied by the re-builder. As for the other problem I think he will be pulling that piston this weekend. __________________ Model A Ford Club of New Jersey http://www.mafcnj.org Model A Pick Up Owners and Enthusiasts https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/group.php?groupid=5

05-24-2013, 10:36 AM	#5
PC/SR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 1,279	Re: Another Head gasket question Look real close around the exhaust valve for a crack from the valve seat to the cylinder. Clean it to shiny bare metal and use a magnifying glass.

05-24-2013, 10:54 AM	#6
Jason in TX Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: ⓉⒺXⒶⓈ Posts: 2,047	Re: Another Head gasket question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I know it's a pain, but another option is just check the block and head for flatness, go get the $25 copper felpro and some coperkote and put the head back on and drive it. If the smoke goes away, it was just the head gasket. If it still smokes, you have a bigger problem. If water got into the cylinder, that can make the plug look wet and "oily" If there is not an efficient burn in a cylinder, the plugs will look black and wet. Sometimes keeping it simple can fix the problem, too __________________ -------------- Drive it like you know how to fix it! DMAFC / OILERS CC-MC Last edited by Jason in TX; 05-24-2013 at 11:20 AM.