3.8 head gasket replacement

I thought I might post this here since this seems to be the most active forum and mustang guys are pritty smart about these sorts of things.

I'm currently undergoing a head gasket replacement on my 93 ford taurus 3.8l. These motors are prone to head gasket failure. From what I gather these motors also came in mustangs. Anyway upon taking the first head off I noticed that one of the piston heads was shinny clean. I'm thinking this was the cylinder where my head gasket failed.

OK 2 questions

1) Would a coolent leak into the cumbustion chamber cause the piston to be clean?
2) If this is the head gasket that needs to be replaced would I be able to get away with just changing the one gasket or do I have to change them both?

If one pistion is clean, I'm going to assume thats the one that was not firing for some reason. Be bad head gasket, no compression or whatever. But while your in there, I would replace both head gaskets, since those motors are known for their head gasket problems.

I thought I might post this here since this seems to be the most active forum and mustang guys are pritty smart about these sorts of things.

I'm currently undergoing a head gasket replacement on my 93 ford taurus 3.8l. These motors are prone to head gasket failure. From what I gather these motors also came in mustangs. Anyway upon taking the first head off I noticed that one of the piston heads was shinny clean. I'm thinking this was the cylinder where my head gasket failed.

OK 2 questions

1) Would a coolent leak into the cumbustion chamber cause the piston to be clean?
2) If this is the head gasket that needs to be replaced would I be able to get away with just changing the one gasket or do I have to change them both?


More than likely that's where the gasket leaked. I know everytime I replaced those head gaskets the clean one was always the cyclinder where the gasket blew.

For you 2nd question, replace BOTH of them, unless you like tearing apart the engine.

Coolant leaking into the cylinder will definately steam clean the piston & cylinder head. The clean one is where the leak is.

That 93 will probably blow the other head gasket within a week if you do not change it now.
Do yourself a favor & change both head gaskets.

Happy Motoring!

Thanks for your help guys. One more question I was wondering if you guys know anything about a chemical made specificly for head gasket removal. I'm told that if I scrape it off I might damage the finish and my next gasket might not seal properly. Does anyone know where I can get this stuff?

Thanks for your help guys. One more question I was wondering if you guys know anything about a chemical made specificly for head gasket removal. I'm told that if I scrape it off I might damage the finish and my next gasket might not seal properly. Does anyone know where I can get this stuff?

I used a rasor blade.....no issues.......