Help with my blown head gasket

[Nito2v]

I noticed after significant coolant loss that the headgasket must be shot. This would explain driveability issues with the car, oil leak and coolant loss. I'm going to change the oil and see if there's coolant. Then I guess I will find a gasket.

Where would the best place be to find a quality piece that I can rely on, and trust? I'm getting a valve cover gasket too, not sure what else I need to get the job done.

[in2fords]

Does your oil fill cap have snot under it? is there white smoke from the tail pipes? is there milkshake in the oil? A compression test might also be a good idea. If your replacing the HG your going to need all top end gaskets, intake/head, upper/lower, TB/upper, valve cover and exhaust manifold. I suggest getting the head inspected and machined, I didn't when I rebuilt my motor but it was a perfectly running motor when I rebuilt it anyway.

[brsvo]

Search Head gasket choices.

[Bob Holmes]

I've used the standard fel-pro 8993 with excellent success, and its your cheapest alternative.

For the cam cover, I prefer to use the later Ranger rubber/metal gasket, although it is more expensive. It can be used over and over again. I've also used the cork and the nasty blue silcone piece.

[Nito2v]

I think I see the blue silicone showing around the valve cover currently? I had someone look at the car who owned an SVO this weekend. Seems like there's a miss still. I changed wires and plugs, but I can't figure it out. Maybe the plugs are getting soaked. I'll have to check again.

[Nito2v]

It's weird. I drove the car before letting it idle, and the engine bay didn't smoke after that. It was throwing puffs of white smoke out of the muffler but the engine didn't smoke from around the exh. manifold. I'll fill it with coolant and see if it smokes again and then break it down. Is there a kit I can buy with all the gaskets? And what bolts do I need for the head. I heard from ford they're expensive @ $40 ea. Thinking of going with ARP.

EDIT: Does anyone have a source for a write-up on doing a headswap or head gasket on this motor? Would help a lot.