Blown head gasket?

**1986camarojoe** · 06-24-2011, 03:12 PM

Ive got a vortech supercharged 04 corvette, and I'm pretty certain i blew a head gasket after driving it real hard. There was white smoke coming out my exhaust but it never overheated so I went ahead and drove home, like 3 miles. Checked the oil and it seemed fine but the next day I see there is coolant in it for sure. Also coolant in one of my tailpipes. All this tells me I blew a head gasket but whats worrying me is when I pulled into the garage there was a real noticeable ticking on the top end on the side I think I blew, any guesses on what that could be? Possible I cracked the head?

**sunsetorangess** · 06-24-2011, 03:17 PM

Could be a cracked head, or your just hearing the compression leaving the cylinder, could also be a bent push rod, lifter, or valve spring, you would have to do a compression test and see which cylinders are low and then pull the valve covers and take a look at the damage.
J

**1986camarojoe** · 06-24-2011, 03:20 PM

I was planning on pulling the head off to change the gasket and see if I notice any damage to the valvetrain. Just hoping it's something on the top end and I didn't mess up a piston or the block.

**sunsetorangess** · 06-24-2011, 03:25 PM

I would do a compression test first, to get an idea on where the problem is hiding. Also to get a baseline.
Just my opnion though
Just ensure you take your time and when you remove everything label them or arrange them in order so you can put them back into the cylinders they came from" rockers" "push-rods" etc.
Just curious but how much boost are you running?
J

**1986camarojoe** · 06-24-2011, 03:28 PM

8lbs of boost

**1986camarojoe** · 06-24-2011, 03:30 PM

It also has a fast 90/90 setup and Ive heard of those breaking on boosted applications but I dont think theres any issues there.

**marksls1ta** · 06-26-2011, 11:25 AM

I did the same thing on my TA that was running 15LBS and it was a hole in the piston.

Mark

**1986camarojoe** · 06-26-2011, 02:55 PM

That would suck I hope that isnt the case

**1986camarojoe** · 06-30-2011, 05:33 PM

I started tearing the car apart but I'm having a pita time getting the fuel line off. Do they make a tool just for this?

**marksls1ta** · 06-30-2011, 07:04 PM

yeah they make a fuel line tool. the parts store will have a couple in stock either plastic or metal.

Mark

**SSwt00SS** · 07-01-2011, 06:15 AM

get the metal fuel line disconnect tool. don't waste your time with the plastic ones. i'm telling you this from experience!

takes 10 seconds with the metal one. dicked with the plastic one for 30 minutes with nothing but a built up vocabulary of cuss words to show for it!