Blown head gasket -- possibly...

[sailhog]

Howdy all:
Cruising out of the slip this afternoon and five minutes down the bayou I heard a strange ticking from the engine. Went below while the engine running under load and isolated the sound to the starboard side of the engine under the thermostat. Placed my finger where I thought the sound was coming from and felt what seemed like a breach in the head gasket -- only there was no water, no mist, just the smell of exhaust and/or fuel rich air. The last time I pulled the head was nine years ago, and I had to take it to a machine shop as the water ports were welded shut. My working theory is that the reason there is no water coming out is because the ports are again clogged... Needless to say, she's RWC. I'd like to get her up and running ASAP, as I have some time off coming up due to COVID and want to get the hell out of dodge. This means getting an order into Moyer ASAP.

So my question to the forum: What should my next move be? Head removal? Any interesting theories? Any further advice?

Much appreciated!

[Peter]

Compression test

Peter

[sailhog]

Thanks, Peter. That will be first on the list.

[sailhog]

The MMI manual indicates that there's a tendency for corrosion/erosion on the head below the thermostat opening, which is where the breach seems to be located.