Problems...sadly

[steveplym]

Well I have noticed lately that my car just doesn't have as much power as it used to. Found out why tonight. I have a miss in cyl #5. I have checked the ignition, spark plugs, and wiring. All is good. So next is a compression check when I get time to do so. Probably later on this week.

My suspicion is that when I adjusted the valves on it I might have got them a little tight. I've got a popping back through the carb on acceleration. So I guess the next step is compression check, then check the valves. Wondering if I burnt a valve or what other issues do I need to look for?

[Jerry Roberts]

One fairly easy check would be to pull that one valve cover and see if there is a gap on the valves for number 5 piston . There might not have been any damage done if your adjustment was recent .

[steveplym]

That is what I guess I'm going to do next. I'm figuring I've driven it about 1,000 miles since I adjusted them. So I'll just have to find out. Gotta work out of town all week this week, so hopefully I can check it out next weekend.

[steveplym]

Well folks I was able to check the valve adjustment this afternoon and do a compression check. Couldn't get more than 20lbs in cyl 5. So I decided to pull the head and check the valves. Didn't have to go to far though when I saw that the head gasket was torn in two places. This is a new gasket from Kanter, so unsure what happened, but glad it was not a valve problem.

Checked all the valves and readjusted them just to be sure they weren't too tight and all are seating correctly.

Ordered a new gasket and should have it tomorrow. Now I hope I can get back on the road soon. I get tired of working on it. Also gonna take the head to the machine shop in the morning to make sure all is good. Hopefully I can just get it cleaned up and put back on.

[jd52cranbrook]

Wow, that's one of the thicker locations for a blow out. Usually its between the thinner walls.

Be happy its just a gasket.

[steveplym]

Yeah I'm not sure if I didn't get the head clean enough or if the gasket was no good. Either way I'm going to do my homework and make sure the gasket is good, then clean the head and the block really good. Hopefully this will take care of things.

[BobT-47P15]

Well, Steve, hopefully that's good news (of sorts) and a new gasket will

be the cure. It's aggravating when they don't run right.

[martybose]

Did you retorque the head after it had been run? The head gaskets will compress after going through a few heat cycles, and you have to retorque them. I usually have to retorque twice before the head studs stop moving.

Marty

[steveplym]

I thought I did Marty, but maybe not as well as I'd thought. I know I will for sure this time. Check and recheck.

[Plymouthy Adams]

check for a bad warp in the vicinity of the burnt through gasket, both head and engine deck with guage and machinist parallel bar..if there is a gap, check the manual for the allowance..resurface may be needed and as mentioned earlier, be sure to retorque the head gasket

[steveplym]

You nailed it Tim. Had the machine shop check it and it was warped pretty good. Getting it resurfaced and should have it back on Friday.

It is my fault as when I redid this motor after it rolled a rod bearing I did not check the head. It was supposedly rebuilt by a professional in the late 90's, only had about 1,000 miles on it when it rolled the bearing. So I thought it was good. Just glad I found the issue and I'm getting it resolved now. Also very happy it was not a burnt valve.

[steveplym]

Got an update. I had to have the head ground to .020. It was warped pretty bad. Most likely if not definitely the cause of my problem. Checked the top of the block and it checked out okay. Put the new gasket on yesterday and torqued the head down. Checked compression and 100lbs in every cylinder. All looking good so far.

After changing the oil and filling it back up with antifreeze had to take care of a few small leaks on the thermostat housing. Then all was good and I fired it up. It runs so smooth and has so much power back. I drove it yesterday about 5 miles and it drove great. Once it goes in OD now it pulls so much better than before. Guess it helps running on 6 cyls rather than 4.

Thanks for the input on this guys it is much appreciated as always!

[Plymouthy Adams]

very good...love to see a fix made without placing just a bandaid over the sore..you can cruise with some peace of mind now..now..don't forget to retorque after a couple heat cycles..