[Chris H]

Today I removed the manifolds and cylinder head from the engine to see what is going on inside cylinder #3. What I have found so far appears to be only a little more carbon deposites in the #3 than inside the other cylinders. I did find a little antifreeze in cylinders #2 & #3, about maybe a tea spoon or so. I am not sure if this was inside the head when I removed it, or if it was due to a leaking head gasket. The #2 cylinder was working before I removed the head.

The carbon deposites in the cylinders could almost be rubbed off with a shop towel in all cylinders except for #3 which was slightly thicker. I was able to read the numbers stamped on top of all pistons except for #3.

I wonder if it is likely that I just have a head gasket leak between the #3 cylinder and the water jacket. The valves look good, I think. The exhaust valves are black with some carbon deposites and the intakes are almost completely clean. All valves appear to be fully seating down in the block when they close. I plan to get a bright light and have a better look at the valve seats before removing the valves.

Should a burned valve have a very obvious appearance? Anything special to look for?

I think that the valves are the more modern straight stem valve types instead of the original valve style. As far as I can tell there does not appear to be any flairing of the valve stem at the valve spring keeper.

I plan to get a better look next week.

Thanks for all the help and advice.

Chris