I have a re-manufactured motor for my 83 Toyota and I think the head gasket is going and it has 20,000 miles on the motor. I think the company that built the motor used crappy gaskets when they built it so I'm not surprised. It started smoking so I pulled out the spark-plugs and one of them was wet. I checked the oil (no water) and I checked the radiator (no oil) and the level was some what normal. I know I should do a pressure test on the cooling system before I assume it's a head gasket, but I don't know what else it could be. This would be my first head gasket rebuild so I'm wondering what advise anyone could give me. Plus I was wondering if anyone had a step by step write up (and photos) about a rebuild you have done. Please help... Thanks

 

Oh, and another reason why I think it's the head gasket is that it had a 190 thermostat when I was down in Texas for 3 months and it was running a little hot. Never close to the red but warmer than usual. I moved up to ND and put a 180 in it and it was running great. but I think the drastic change in temperature had something to do with it. Just an idea...

 

That change in temp would not affect the head gasket

So right now you have smoke, no oil in water, no coolant loss, and a wet spark plug. Was it wet with water or gas? Is the smoke, blue (oil), white that smells like celery (coolant), or black (running rich)?


I woudnt jump right to a head gasket, do a coolant system pressure check and a compression test, could be something as simlpe as a valve seal, run your checks sir!