The Ford Barn

flat 39 · 10-22-2017, 06:14 PM

my 8BA started to overheat. The radiator looked empty so I put a gallon of water in. Hit the starter and the engine would not turn over. I pulled the plugs and hit the starter and water sprayed out of #4. I pulled the head and can see where the head gasket failed. I did not see any cracks anywhere. I pulled the dipstick and saw water in the oil.
The burning question is, Can a blown head gasket let water get into the oil or am I looking at something more serious?

Dick

zorro4153 · 10-22-2017, 07:22 PM

Dick,
Yes, the water leaks past the head gasket in to the cylinder and then past the rings and into pan with the oil. Change the head gaskets and the oil and you should be good to go.

slowforty · 10-22-2017, 10:15 PM

Use a composite head Gasket.They seem to seal better than the copper ones. I got mine from Speedway.

chap52 · 10-23-2017, 07:40 AM

If your not pulling the pan I would suggest that you leave the drain plug off of the pan while you work on the top end so that any water in the lower end has a chance to dry out. I have to tape a note to the steering wheel or put the drain plug next to the oil I will be refilling with, reminding me to replace the plug before filling with oil. (Don't ask!)
Also I would coat the cylinder walls with a light coat of motor oil, (like greasing a cake pan pan)before I put the head on.
Is it a big hassle to change both head gaskets while your there?

Frank Miller · 10-23-2017, 08:33 AM

Check to make sure head is not warped.

JWL · 10-23-2017, 08:58 AM

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Some good suggestions here. I would want to check for damage from the hydraulic lock. A bent rod is not uncommon in situations like this.

flat 39 · 10-23-2017, 09:09 AM

JWL, The rod does not appear to be bent as the piston goes all the way to the top.

10-22-2017, 06:14 PM	#1
flat 39 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clermont FL Posts: 99	Blown head gasket, water in oil my 8BA started to overheat. The radiator looked empty so I put a gallon of water in. Hit the starter and the engine would not turn over. I pulled the plugs and hit the starter and water sprayed out of #4. I pulled the head and can see where the head gasket failed. I did not see any cracks anywhere. I pulled the dipstick and saw water in the oil. The burning question is, Can a blown head gasket let water get into the oil or am I looking at something more serious? Dick

10-22-2017, 07:22 PM	#2
zorro4153 Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Pottstown Pa Posts: 35	Re: Blown head gasket, water in oil Dick, Yes, the water leaks past the head gasket in to the cylinder and then past the rings and into pan with the oil. Change the head gaskets and the oil and you should be good to go.

10-22-2017, 10:15 PM	#3
slowforty Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tinley Park Ill Posts: 1,060	Re: Blown head gasket, water in oil Use a composite head Gasket.They seem to seal better than the copper ones. I got mine from Speedway.

10-23-2017, 08:33 AM	#5
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: Blown head gasket, water in oil Check to make sure head is not warped. __________________ “The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound

10-23-2017, 08:58 AM	#6
JWL Member Emeritus Join Date: May 2010 Location: Fitzgerald, Georgia Posts: 2,204	Re: Blown head gasket, water in oil Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Some good suggestions here. I would want to check for damage from the hydraulic lock. A bent rod is not uncommon in situations like this.

10-23-2017, 07:40 AM	#4
chap52 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Marana Arizona Posts: 1,776	Re: Blown head gasket, water in oil If your not pulling the pan I would suggest that you leave the drain plug off of the pan while you work on the top end so that any water in the lower end has a chance to dry out. I have to tape a note to the steering wheel or put the drain plug next to the oil I will be refilling with, reminding me to replace the plug before filling with oil. (Don't ask!) Also I would coat the cylinder walls with a light coat of motor oil, (like greasing a cake pan pan)before I put the head on. Is it a big hassle to change both head gaskets while your there?

10-23-2017, 09:09 AM	#7
flat 39 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clermont FL Posts: 99	Re: Blown head gasket, water in oil JWL, The rod does not appear to be bent as the piston goes all the way to the top.