Another new addition!

worst fears = ...?

I can't tell where I'm looking in that pic. Passenger side firewall maybe? Not sure
 
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worst fears = ...?

I can't tell where I'm looking in that pic. Passenger side firewall maybe? Not sure

Yes, passenger side firewall. The area where you can see wetness is your mom's--sorry--the top of the tranny. No signs of coolant above that as far as I can see.

Worst fears = warped head.
 
oh. Yeah... ouch :(

Has the TB / Water Pump been replaced yet? If not, you might as well while you have everything out of the way. And pull the A/C too ;)

Is the little rubber nub-plug still there? That's a fairly common failure point.
 
oh. Yeah... ouch :(

Has the TB / Water Pump been replaced yet? If not, you might as well while you have everything out of the way. And pull the A/C too ;)

Is the little rubber nub-plug still there? That's a fairly common failure point.

The timing belt looks pretty new, but I don't know about the water pump.

Yeah, the rubber water plug is still there, but I can't guarantee that it's not leaking. It's such a PITA to see anything back there.
 
The timing belt looks pretty new, but I don't know about the water pump.

Yeah, the rubber water plug is still there, but I can't guarantee that it's not leaking. It's such a PITA to see anything back there.

it should be easier when you take of the CAS and the coil pack bracket.
 
If you end up replacing the head entirely, make sure you get one form a manual transmissioned car.

You could probably just get away with getting it decked though.
 
If you end up replacing the head entirely, make sure you get one form a manual transmissioned car.

You could probably just get away with getting it decked though.

Yeah, I was looking at that. Any idea what that might cost? ...or just getting the head rebuilt while it's off? I was looking around, and OPM Motorsports looked promising, but I suspect they're pricey.
 
Yeah, I was looking at that. Any idea what that might cost? ...or just getting the head rebuilt while it's off? I was looking around, and OPM Motorsports looked promising, but I suspect they're pricey.

Probably. I'm going to be having one done soon, but I'm not sure what it costs. I'll have the one on the new engine reworked. PM Metalman on soloatlanta, he's probably got some heads laying around.
 
Probably. I'm going to be having one done soon, but I'm not sure what it costs. I'll have the one on the new engine reworked. PM Metalman on soloatlanta, he's probably got some heads laying around.

I might do that. He hasn't PMed me back lately, though. I asked him about a trunk, etc. and possibly making the radiator transaction at Pts. 4, but I haven't heard back.

Plus, if I'm going to have to do anything with the head, I might as well know I'm putting a good one on there and see what it'd cost to get the whole thing built to optimized factory specs... :p

I don't think Jenn (or our bank account) will agree with that logic, unfortunately... :(
 
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So, before I waste any more time poking around, does anyone know how to properly diagnose a head problem and find out for sure if I've got a warped head, blown head gasket, or none of the above?
 
If he's spilled a bunch of coolant, then there probably won't be much of anything in the coolant bottle. Easiest thing to do is drain the oil. If it's milky / frothy / has water in it, then you've probably blown the head gasket.

Project cars are fun!
 
OK, so I'm being told that, having driven this car over half an hour home (and, supposedly, having been driven from Loganville to Duluth right before I saw it), it's extremely unlikely that this is a blown head gasket or warped head.

Opinions?
 
being told by who? Anyway, seriously, I'd check the oil to make sure. Even if the HG is ok, a warped head sounds like the symptoms you described (running like crap, sputtering, stalling, etc)
 

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