Hi everyone,
I hope everyone is having a nice day. I'm doing fine accept for the more
people I talk to and the more things I try it seems that I am going to
need to replace my head gasket. I talked to Dennis at Classic Datsun and
he advised that I check my thermostat. I tried that and it's fine so
that can't be the problem. I didn't notice any coolant on the spark
plugs or in the cylinders (although the piston heads looked almost
oily/sooty and the spark plugs were almost black). Also #4 spark plug
has oil all along the threads and is more dirty than the other 3 plugs.
Could this mean an oil leak into cylinder #4? The exhaust isn't as white
as I made it out to be I guess. It has no "sweet" smell and it is very
dry. No water vapor that I can tell, it is burning oil for sure though.
The oil on the dipstick and in the valve cover is not cloudy or milky
looking. I get my rad overflow cap that I ordered tomorow. I'll try
that and see if it fixes the problem although I don't think it will
anymore.
I have never tore apart a car engine so I am having a tough time
visualizing for myself what could be happening. I know the basic
workings but I don't know exactly where the coolant passages are and
where the oil is circulated. I guess I'll find out if I have to take off
the head.
Thanks so much for everyones replies. I am so impressed at
everyones interest in my car problems and the readily given advice.
Matt Peterson
'68 1600 (with a 3-main)
Zimmerman, MN
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