Anyone want to tell me what would cause this kind of damage to a head gasket?

[JC316]

Got a 97 Formula from auction with a blown head gasket. Just pulled the drivers side head off, and I get this. I've seen some shit happen to a head gasket, but this is a new one for me. It looks like this engine has been apart in the past and the work looks pretty new. One part of me thinks detonation, but there is zero damage to the pistons or the head.

[Sean88gt]

Was there a nitrous bung anywhere or any sign of boost?

[JC316]

Was there a nitrous bung anywhere or any sign of boost?

That was going to be my next question, if a nitrous backfire could do that kind of damage. I didn't see one, but I wasn't really looking either. I will go back over it and have a look see.

[Baron Von Crowder]

Glad I didnt bid on that POS!

[Sean88gt]

That was going to be my next question, if a nitrous backfire could do that kind of damage. I didn't see one, but I wasn't really looking either. I will go back over it and have a look see.

If there was detonation and the pistons were stronger than the headgaskets, then it's possible.

[War Machine]

Glad I didnt bid on that POS!

lol

[JC316]

Glad I didnt bid on that POS!

The funny thing is that the engine looks to be very well maintained. No oil leaks, no excessive carbon buildup, etc. Even the head isn't warped. So far that is the only issue that I can find. Got 9 of 17 bolts out of the passenger head, so I will see if anything is over there.

If there was detonation and the pistons were stronger than the headgaskets, then it's possible.

Pistons look stock. I see no signs of nitrous or boost.

[mikeb]

If no nitrous then I'd guess some kind of a sealing problem caused by a warped block or perhaps an incorrect torque sequence on the head bolts. Or maybe the wrong head gasket was used.


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[JC316]

If no nitrous then I'd guess some kind of a sealing problem caused by a warped block or perhaps an incorrect torque sequence on the head bolts. Or maybe the wrong head gasket was used.


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Head is straight as an arrow. I will look at the block next.

[mikeb]

Are those torque to yield bolts on that motor? If they are then maybe someone reused them and the clamping load on the gasket was insufficient. A dirty deck surface when it went back together could cause this too.


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[Mysticcobrakilla]

Pics of the affected combustion chamber and pistons?

[JC316]

Got the passenger side head off and it was starting to do the same thing in the same spot. Also weird, the passenger head torque was way tighter and there was compression escaping when I loosened a few of the bolts.

Are those torque to yield bolts on that motor? If they are then maybe someone reused them and the clamping load on the gasket was insufficient. A dirty deck surface when it went back together could cause this too.


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Yes they are. Another strange anomaly that I ran into is that each head had 16 1/2" bolts and 1 5/8" bolt. I think you might be right.

Pics of the affected combustion chamber and pistons?

Yeah, I can get you some.

[greenbullitt]

Detonation

[JC316]

Detonation

That was my first thought as well, but isn't it odd to not see any damage to the rest of the motor.

Anyway, here are pics of the offending cylinders and heads and the passenger side gasket.

[Mysticcobrakilla]

Detonation

Looks like it. Stupid lean.

Just an FYI, head gaskets are the first consumable for an engine just to prevent damage to pistons, heads, liners ect.