Coolant in Exhaust

Howdy!

If it isn't one thing, it's another... I was completing my exhaust set up, and took the pipe with the muffler off from my y-pipe from the collectors. When I did that I noticed some orange "bubble" looking things on the inside of the pipe and a smell of coolant. Then I noticed it leaked orange/brown fluid onto the floor that again, smelt like coolant. I went to the engine bay to investigate and noticed some coolant dripping down the side of the engine block under the 3/4 port. I took my headers off and this is what I found:





As you can see, there are the orange "bubbles" in the port, and what looks to be a leak between the head and the block. Is this a "simple" blown head gasket? or do I have something more serious going on?

Also, it seems the liquid made it into the muffler (thrush turbo muffler)... will it dry out on its own or is it ruined?

Thank you in advance!
-Shawn

Sorry if there's coolant in the port then the head could be cracked there, I had this happen on my 77 250 Maverick in the center exhaust port. Did you over heat the engine?

this is a typical area. Just ask our bud Seth, the econobx pro, & xe falcon waggy from Oz, the racer.

Take a closer look to decide on head removal. If doing so look to that area of the block for damage as well (usually none). Some have the crack worked to return the head to use (specialist required). "Magnaflux' is an exam process to ck for unseen-to-the-eye cracks. One would use this process B4 proceeding with investment (more $, time, etc) ie when getting a new unknown head, machining the same, etc.

Of the several anomalies on the 6 i6 motors this is one (# 11'n 13 head bolts additional). No biggie. Plenty of next step maneuvers to get up'n running soon, if interested...

Pull the head & have it magnafluxed for a crack in that area. I would start looking for another head.

Pull the head & have it magnafluxed for a crack in that area. I would start looking for another head.

I've acquired 2 heads looking for one to build. Both of them looked great. Both were cracked between the exhaust ports of 3 and 4 towards the exhaust flange. The second one I noticed as I put it in the back of my truck while talking with the machinist who had just told me how good of shape the head was in. I saw a tiny glint in the sunshine as I loaded it. These cracks are easy to miss, even magnafluxing. We took it back in and magnafluxed it again and sure enough. But it took looking there a bit. That is an area that should be examined above all others when having one of these heads magnafluxed or looking at one. The first one I picked up on after spending hours porting it. The metal dust pointed it out. After previously having had it dipped but not magnafluxed.

bubba22349":1rsgvo35 said:

Sorry if there's coolant in the port then the head could be cracked there, I had this happen on my 77 250 Maverick in the center exhaust port. Did you over heat the engine?

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I'm pretty sure I didn't overheat it, but who knows...

wsa111":1rsgvo35 said:

Pull the head & have it magnafluxed for a crack in that area. I would start looking for another head.

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I have a '69 M head that I've planned on using soon. I guess that plan has been moved up!

Thanks for the feedback gents. I'm pretty bummed, as I had finally driven it around the block for the first time in almost 2 years. It'll have to be stuck in the garage a little bit longer I guess.