Hi Jason,
Big block Mopars are pretty unique in that they don't have any coolant flow
through the front cover or the intake manifold. Sounds like a head gasket
problem to me. I'd pull both heads and have them checked for cracks and
resurfaced if necessary. Might as well touch up the valves as long as you
have them off. The main thing is to get that antifreeze out of the pan as
soon as possible. It really causes problems with bearings and valve lifters.
Wouldn't be the worse idea to flush new oil through a couple times before
you start the engine after the repair. Good luck.
Steve Miner
Miner Auto Service
Winnebago, MN
----- Original Message -----
From: "jason reizner" <jreizner_lists@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2003 7:07 PM
Subject: IML: coolant in oil, head gaskets, and other fun
> well, this sort of sucks, but it would seem like i
> found the source of my low oil pressure problem.
> after a quick roadtrip last weekend, i noticed my '68
> hardtop's oil pressure had dropped to the bottom of
> the acceptable range during highway cruise. also, on
> the way back it seemed like the car was running way
> hotter than it was on the way up. well, long story
> short, i got around to taking a look at the car today,
> and found there was no coolant in the radiator. while
> explaining why she was running hot, this begged the
> question where did it all go? apparently, into the
> oil pan, as evidenced by the milky watery crap in the
> breather cap, thereby explaining why my oil pressure
> went south. [i guess 30wt & antifreeze doesn't lube
> that well...<g>]
>
> so, i can only assume this means that i cooked the
> head gasket by briskly driving the car after years of
> inactivity. i'm not terribly familiar with design of
> the front ends of big block mopars, but is there any
> possible way a seal failure in the water pump housing
> or front cover could cause this, or am i pretty much
> looking at a head gasket like i figured?
>
> the car didn't seem to be making any terribly awful
> bottom-end noise when i parked it, only the
> lifter-type noise consistent with low oil pressure,
> but i'm curious as to exactly how bad driving around
> at highway speed with a crankcase full of coolant is
> to things like bearings. i'm pulling the engine
> either way, so give me a heads up if there's anything
> i should be especially watching out for.
>
> thanks everyone,
> --jason
>
> jason reizner
> chicago
> '68 crown hardtop
>
>
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