Cracked head?

[nameiztaken]

Head gasket appears to be blown, causing 30psi compression on 3 of 4 cyls.

Saw this same mark next to 2 different bolts while cleaning the head. Do I have a cracked head as well?

Photo of the head gasket:

 

[Dirtman]

Have the head magnafluxed. A good machine shop shouldn't charge more than 40 bucks. Pics over the internet are not going to cut it.

 

[Johnnyboiranger22]

Have is checked by a machine shop they will pressure test it. They may find cracks that a photo cant show us. May want to check block to for any warpage as well. It really depend son how hot the vehicle ran.

 

[tomw]

How tight were the head bolts? If the engine was overheated due to coolant leaks, it may have allowed the head bolts to relax, and lead to or caused the head gasket leakage. If the head bolts came off readily. with lower than expected torque, and the cylinder head lifted off the block without need for poking or prying, I think I would just put it back together. But. I would check the head for flat surface using a good straightedge and a feeler gauge.
The Lima is a pretty beefy engine compared to newer models, and is harder to distort from overheating. If you did not have any combustion gas leaking into the cooling system, I would just re-assemble with new gaskets if the surfaces were flat. A good head gasket will conform and prevent leakage if the surfaces are clean and flat.
tom

 

[adsm08]

The Lima ... is harder to distort from overheating.

This is why the head and block should always be made of the same metal. The distorting we get on modern engines comes from the different expansion rates of the iron block and aluminum head that are bolted together.

 

[DandysRanger]

Take it to a machine shop. A skilled machinist can tell you within minutes if the head is cracked. I was dropping off mine to be rebuilt and the mechanic walked by, stopped and looked at my old head with a flashlight and came over and said, "You know your head is cracked right?"