Engine Troubles

I've been having a small coolant leak on my engine since I got the car running in August. Thought that the problem was a blown head gasket, until yesterday. Yesterday the car was having problems staying cool so I checked the coolant. Oil on top of it, uh oh. Drained the oil and it was more of a browns color on top than green. Decided to go ahead and pull the head to get it magnufluxed.

After finally getting the head free, I discovered that I have a copper head gasket. Did they come from the factory on a '79? Valves actually have no carbon buildup, save for #3 cylinder, which was wet when I pulled the head. Then I was looking at the engine and noticed that it was a dark red color rather than black, checked the Moss catalog to confirm that it should be black. Then took a look at the engine number, falls into the '79 range. Another case of DPO, who was the original owner of the car?

Summary:
Oil and Coolant mixed, heads getting checked tomorrow, engines the wrong color for the year

Got an engine number, not that it matters, but the dark red paint would indicate an earlier engine.

Have them tank and magnaflux the head after stripping it completely. Probably going to find a crack, but it is possible that you just had a failed gasket and it would be a shame to trash the head out of hand without checking it.

BTW: What are the casting numbers on the head?

Not to insult you intelligence but be sure to remove and drain the cooler and lines if you have one installed. Also do several oil and filter changes in rapid succession ( every twenty miles or so ) after you get the head back on. This will of course flush as much gunk out as you can without actually stripping the block.

Jack

Where on the head would the casting numbers be located at, I'll go and take a look, but in case I can't find them. I'll also get the engine number at that time.

if the engine was not repainted the old red (maroon) only the numbers are the real facts.

You probably know that the engine number is on a narrow plate on the dist side of the block just below the line of attachment with the head. Very obvious.

The head numbers are cast into the top surface and sort of hidden by the rocker mechanism. There is also another series number on some heads and it can be seen on the top at the very back outside of the rocker cover sealing surface.

Jack

I had problems(three times) with a solid copper gasket. Try a payden gasket if everything checks out.

Engine Number: 18V883AEL031817

Not sure which is the number you're looking for, but here's all the numbers I could find on the head.

A16E8

CAM1106

222

Pat No
585394

CAm1106 is the one you want

Remember the numbers on the block,under the oil filter!

"birthday date"

Dean.

CAM1106 would be the late model head with the water port at the rear for the carburetor choke. This head was made after 1974. What is important about that, is that the oil hole for the rocker shaft is offset.

I'm guessing that the engine was "rebuilt" and repainted.

This was discussed a while ago when I announced my 79 engine was red, I know the history of the car from almost new and nobody has painted the engine since 1984, I couldn't see it being done in the first 5 years of the cars life.

The conclusion was that the black paint was very low quality and had worn or flaked off leaving a red primer underneath it.

Ok, I'll assume that the paint just came off leaving a primer underneath like Mike said.

Took the head to the shop today to get it checked for a crack and then get a valve job if no problems are found. I'm thinking that it's time to go ahead and pull the engine out now for bearings and rings at this time. Does anyone have any ideas as to where I should attach a hoist with the head being gone?