UserA

Coolant appeared to look like I dropped a Mento into a Pepsi. I do not have hard starts after boosting and I haven't done a compression test as of yet and oddly the oil isn't sludgy. Pulling plugs today. If they are wet, then I have my work cut out for me!

Thanks again for all the help.

Tom M'Guinn

I think the HG is a goner. Mentos and Pepsi rarely lie.

https://members.rennlist.com/tom86951/headgasket.htm

UserA

I agree Tom, I am going to install a new one using your guide. Thanks for taking the time to make it.

odurandina

Hydro lock will be a highly likely indicator of a HG......
Sticking with the Air Cooled......
God yes. i shoulda bought this cheap SC that was for sale for a song up the street from me
in 2010 Woulda been a nice alt P car driver when the Sledgehammer is getting serviced.

schip43

Well pressure testing before pulling it apart ... could not hurt! But it sound's most likely it is the head gasket?? As for Air Cooled vs Water Cooled?? Well yeah, if you don't have a water pump, thermostat, radiator and the assorted hoses, then they can't break.

Humboldtgrin

How much boost is the car running? What you describe would indicate head lift. Which is a head gasket failure. But caused by too much boost. Yea I know there’s never enough boost. Or wrong tune, or air pocket in coolant jacket in the cylinder head. Or head bolts not torqued property. Or, or, or.... yep.

UserA

Stock boost, head lift could possibly be the cause. I pressure tested the system and it held 11psi with no problem.

Tom M'Guinn

Keep in mind the head gasket sees maybe 100 times that much pressure when the fuel ignites and starts pushing the piston down. If some of that pressure gets past the HG into the cooling system, you spit up coolant. And, if that pressure can't escape the cooling system fast enough, it will push coolant back into the cylinder on intake and exhaust strokes and/or when you turn off the motor.