What went wrong with my intake gasket replacement?

[Grogan14]

The old gentleman whom I purchased my '89 2.9 XLT from had recently had it in to his mechanic, and had a list of things that needed to be addressed, including leaks at the valve covers and the intake manifold gasket. Also, radiator leak. I brought it home, parked it and went to work on it. After installing new lower manifold gasket, I've now got water coming out the tailpipe and oil in the coolant.

I used the Fel-Pro set, and took my time, following all directions from the Haynes manual. The one thing, I didn't put any sealant on the lower gasket, as it was very similar to the one that came out, which had none - both had rtv pre-applied.

The old coolant looked pretty dirty, but I didn't notice it to be oily. I topped off the radiator before the 60 mile ride home, and didn't notice it being appreciably down before I drained it.

Is it possible I just messed up on the manifold gasket, either without adding rtv to it, or elsewhere??

Thanks

 

[IMenriched]

Might not of done anything wrong....you may have a cracked head (these 2.9's are prone to do that)

 

[Grogan14]

If I had only known how common that was with this engine, I would have looked a bit closer. I had been thinking I might as well just do the head gaskets while I was in there, but friends talked me out of that.

Anyway, I'm hoping it's something I did, and I can just correct. It hasn't been much above freezing as of late, so it'll have to wait 'til a warmer day.

 

[IMenriched]

If I had only known how common that was with this engine, I would have looked a bit closer. I had been thinking I might as well just do the head gaskets while I was in there, but friends talked me out of that.

Anyway, I'm hoping it's something I did, and I can just correct. It hasn't been much above freezing as of late, so it'll have to wait 'til a warmer day.

World Products make a heavier replacement head...but kinda spendy, but so are regularly replaceing heads....Not to say that it is going to happen all the time....later factory heads for the 2.9 were better.
And there are reports of factory heads doing quite well. most folks take them off and have them checked at a machine shop. If they're cracked then up grade or find a running engine and swap the whole works...or swap in 4.0

 

[Grogan14]

I'm just finally getting back to this, and I've just pulled the upper portion off. I've got oil coming up through the front two intake chambers, I guess you'd call them. I'm going to go and take the lower off, hoping to find something...

 

[MAKG]

You do need RTV in the corners where the head meets the block. The gasket will not properly seal there.

And there IS coolant there.

 

[Grogan14]

I used the Fel-Pro gasket, and just put the enclosed rtv where the directions said, front and back. I know the Haynes book said to coat all mating surfaces. Should I do that? Can I re-use that gasket? I do have a Corteco one here, also.

Thanks