raski

With the Motorcraft PCV, make sure its plumbing is not partially blocked and the grommet is in good condition. Check/ change out the breather filter in the air box too. A working PCV will be hindered if air cannot be "intaked" back into the crankcase via the breather. I have had headgaskets blow on the 3.8 and the gases will blow coolant so hard that the overflow bottle will overflow. You can have the coolant analyzed for the presence of exhaust gases.You could be dealing with a worn out engine where you are getting blowby past worn rings. You should do a cylinder(s) leak down tests to confirm.

Pirate Tom

Okay, haven't had a chance to do compression test, or leak down yet. A former mechanic friend (former mechanic, current friend thankfully) has the tools, I just have to find the time to go borrow them. Did check the PCV. Ford likes to hide things way back under the intake manifold evidently. Didn't do anything fancy, just pulled it out and did the rattle test.

Going back to the non-function temp gauge. Checking wires makes me think the temp sender is fine, and that my gauge itself is bad. The problem is I can only find universal aftermarket gauges at the usual parts sources, and LMC carries up to 86. Anyone know if an 86' will fit, and maybe just has different color backing or something minor like that, or if it would be a hack job?

Did pull the thermostat as well just to chunk it into some boiling water and make sure it works. It does. BUT, upon pulling the thermostat housing, I found that there was a pinhole in the housing from corrosion. So, picked up a new thermostat housing.

Here's the new problem. There's a small hose connecting the thermostat housing to the water pump. And it's trashed. I can't find a proper name anywhere for it, and haven't come up with anything on the parts sites.

What the heck is the name for that thing so that I can find a replacement for it?

88xlt

That should be called a bypass hose. Any self respecting auto parts place should be able to fix you up. If they don't know what you are talking about when you ask for the bypass hose, explain where it goes.

Pirate Tom

Well, progress for today. Got the compression tester, and got the following results. Passenger side bank, starting at the front: Cyl. One = 147 Cyl. Two = 145 Cyl. Three = 147 Cyl. Four = 143 Driver side bank: Cyl. One = 150 Cyl. Two = 155 Cyl. Three = 145 Cyl. Four = 137 Everything is within 15% variance so... I take that as not a head gasket leak. Taking a break for lunch, and heading out to get that Bypass hose. All the lines for the PCV looked clear when I checked, and it passed the rattle test, but thinking about pulling the intake just to check the grommet on it. The distributor was replaced (not by me) a little while ago, so also plan on verifying timing, which I had not thought to do until no. Just in case.