How to ID a head gasket issue

[adf5565]

So I started taking apart my 6.2 to determine what went wrong with my rebuild and part out what I can.

I thought a head gasket went on it based on the white smoke and terrible running, however after looking at the first side I pulled off I’m not actually sure what I’m looking for. But something else I noticed, the Mahle head gasket I put on seems to block all but 1 of the coolant ports into the head from the block. The picture I took during my original tear down looks like these were open. However, looking online at new 6.2 head gaskets they all seem to be this way.

So 2 questions, first would be what would the gasket look like if it blew? I’m assuming there would be damage to the gasket and carbon where it shouldn’t? And second, is the head gasket supposed to block all of these coolant ports? Was I supposed to cut holes in them?

 

[adf5565]

Well a little further research let me to my answer. Those holes in the fire deck are supposed to be mostly blocked by the head gasket and the main coolant flow occurs elsewhere. Found this nice writeup which describes coolant flow.

https://www.thedieselpageforums.com/tdpforum/showthread.php?25230-Bypass-cooling-for-the-6-2-6-5

With regards to the head gasket condition, after inspection of both head gaskets I didn't identify any issues so I'm not sure what the cause of my smoke/run issues was. But I guess it is water under the bridge at this point anyways.