Head Gasket help

I need some help and am trying to get ideas about what could be wrong.

Just did a Head Gasket change on my 2.3 turbo. Had white smoke out exhaust, very low vacuum, bad compression, ran like crap.

Put an 8993 gasket in, cleaned all mating surfaces, checked for straightness and warping, cleaned block holes, cleaned and reused head bolts, and reassembled.

What I get now is: still have white smoke out the exhaust but a lot less, coolant clean in rad, vac ok at 18, runs very rough at idle, oil pressure drops under boost (which is scary), changed oil 3x or more. Everytime I change it, the oil comes out looking pretty gross (thin and watery with the color of coffee with milk added).

I am at my wits end and probably will have to tear it down again.

I did not have it magnafluxed - I know, should have done that, live and learn.

Any ideas and tips?
Thanks
Rich

I believe the head bolts on these engines are designed to be used only once. New bolts should be used each time the head is removed. The bolts stretch as they are torqued allowing only one use.

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'88 TC, '91 5.0 LX Convertible, '90 2.3 LX Coupe, '91 F250 4X4 Diesel

The 2.3 head bolts are not TTY bolts, but even so, I wouldnt use them more than 3 times or so, especially when a new set is pretty cheap. The new Ford head bolts are angle torque style.

Yes, have the head magnafluxed, pressure tested, and tested for flatness.

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Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 20 psi, forced air intercooler, water injection, bypass valve, Ranger roller cam, subframes, etc., etc.. // 86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP nitrous, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.... // 91 Escort: Bone stock winter car // 02 Taurus Vulcan(wifes car)

I did a search and see they are angle torque is TTY but how do I use them? My old head bolts were 12 point.

I would also like to know the best way to clean out the block holes that the head bolts to.

[This message has been edited by rich (edited 08-18-2003).]