Prone to cracks

[84turbojoe]

Are 2.3 heads prone to crack in certain areas so when inspecting, I have an area to inspect more closely?

The reason I'm asking is my 84' had the symptoms of a blown head gasket (loss of power, driveability,and white smoke from exhaust). When I got the head off, the gasket appeared to be fine(FP1035). I checked for worpage on both head and block and both were good so I thought the possibilty of a cracked head??

Any ideas? Thanks

[mpinnix]

Most of the cracks I've seen are around the exhaust valves. Some can be repaired by installing hardened valve seats but others can't because the crack goes too deep.
Mitchell

[SVOeric]

the heads are not prone to cracking unless they have been hot.

with the 2.3 fan setup, they are prone to getting hot

so does that mean the heads are prone to cracking... could be!!!

when were you seeing white smoke?? only when starting?

Did you check compression before yanking the head?

[84turbojoe]

smoke and other signs

The smoke was while the car was ideling (parked) and while revving the engine (also parked, not under load). I didn't do a compression check (I know I should have now), but I was sure it was a gasket due to the ailments.

I've been having the oil puff during the start but no white.

I haven't had any overheating problems at all, but than again, I could be the 20th owner of the car and it does have 150k miles on it. I was told it was rebuilt 2k miles before I bought it, and judging by the condition of the valvtrain and pistons, thats a hard call. Clean but...removed water neck and all the anti-freeze/water mixture was orange like rust. Stuff in rad was greenish on top brown on bottom. Maybe a blocked radiator caused the excessive heat but didn't show on factory temp gaug.
I thinking while writing trying to come up with a theroy, sorry so long.

The exhaust valves (#2,#3,#4) are pretty darn white on the face and the plugs ,meaning a lean condition in those cyl. right??

Anyway, I looking to see the possibility of a cracked head so I can decide my next move...

Suggestions?? Thanks

[SVOeric]

My thought is that it would have to be a pretty big crack in the head for you to have white smoke while idling.


the puff of smoke when starting could simply be valve stem seals. but that usually stops after running for 20 seconds or so.

I hate to say it, but that sounds more like a ring problem, if the head looks good.