How to fix a cracked head? Start saving for the Windsor.

 

Yea, if a head gasket is your problem,your repairmight have been too late! [:@]

Either way, it sounds like you have some internal engine issues, whether it is a head gasket problem or a piston/ring/valve issue, with a head gasket problem being the easier of possible problems to "patch up", but a head gasket probably will notwait as long as the other issues listed. If you have a ring,piston or valve issue, these issues could probably be mostly ignored for a few months if you baby the engine.

 

Since you ask for opinions - I wouldn't spend a nickle adding performance to your existing engine. After a pressure test on the cooling system I would do a compression test. Between the two you will have a lot of info about the engine. Read the attached, get test results, and report back for some more specific recommendations.
http://autos.yahoo.com/maintain/repa...ques056_1.html

ps - if you have these problems do not expect to get the car back from "the shop" in less than a week and "running like a champ". Do you have the ability/tools/inclination to work on it yourself?

 

fixing a cracked head yourself can be a nightmare, or very expensive if someone else does it for you. you have to find the cylinder that is igniting the water/coolant, remove that head from the block, find the crack, and either weld it or drill-and-pin it. for the money you'd spend, you can get a pair of re-man heads... or just start your 351 early.

 

hurry up on the 351, so i can buy your 289 rods

 

You could try pulling plugs to see if they're wet with coolant/smell like antifreeze, or wet with oil too. But yeah, just start saving for the 351, and if it is a blown head gasket and it leaks enoughcoolant into a cylinder, when you crank the engine you'll get hydrostatic lock and bend a connecting rod and/or break a piston

 

+1 on pulling the plugs, and the OP might also try wiping the inside of the tailpipe with his finger and giving the finger tho old "sniff test" to see if it smells like antifreeze.

<<BTW, don't let anyone see you sniffing your finger...........>>