any info is appreciated. i hv a 1970 FJ40 f engine.

water and oil mix in either the radiator or crankcase, steam in the exhaust. compression in 2 cylinders equalizing.....or dropping. poor compression.

Do a compression test or a leakdown test before you pull the head. I think this is one of the most important diagnostic tools a guy can own . You can make one for under $20.
The leakdown test will tell you the condition of the rings , valves,headgasket etc.
I got even readings on two cylinders( 60lbs.) that were next to each other. The other tow were 150+ and I had no coolant or oil mixed in crankcase. I had no steam at the tailpipe. I put the leakdown tester on the cylinder with valves closed and found that it pushed the air into the next cylinder and came out the spark plug hole. As suspected I had burnt the head gasket out between the 2-3 cylinder on a 4 cyl engine. Here is a little info you may find important.

http://www.530i.org/530i-Test-leak-compression.htm

http://www.longacreracing.com/instructions/text/73010_PI_p.pdf

http://www.swiftsite.com/minibike/tech12.htm

from my experience you know when you have a blown head gasket. Symptoms are:

loss of power
white smoke
water in oil
water shooting out spark plug holes
owning an F-engine
gurgling in radiator when full and up to temp


for me both times the head gasket blew it started acting up 10-20 miles before it blew. I noticed a loss of power and a little white smoke on start up. Then it slowly gets worse until there is no power and A LOT of white smoke.

i know you are not asking about 350 swap or even concidering it however i am going to tell you this.

when i bought my cruiser i said i would never do the swap what i have is good enough. Blowing the first head gasket was a big le down for me (i had previously had faith in the F engine) the more i talked to fellow cruiser heads the more i realized how much the f-engine sucks. It has no power, low redline, low drivability. After the second head gasket i said fawk this and threw in my spare 327 (best motor ever in my cruiser). It was great. Drivability, parts availability, reliability, ease of work all where through the roof. I recomend the swap to EVERYONE.

Actually the F engine is a fairly solid engine if you are doing what it was made to do. Its no highway cruiser which is why it came with a 3spd. It also is quite torquey which is great for hauling alot of farm crap around under 45mph. For doing what it was made to do- i would argue that it aint all that bad and shouldnt be bashed for trying to something other than it was built to do.