Hello everybody!

Just got my first 850T!. With a blown head gasket!
at least that's what the PO said. The engine looks oily on top. No coolant in the expansion tank. So..I am not sure the condition of the engine's bottom end.
I am thinking of two options: 1 Get a good engine and do a transplant. 2 Replace the head gasket.
I am not familiar with this model as I am with the four bangers. So, I would like to request some hints on both options. Then the question is: What other preventive/corrective work can be done while the head or engine is off the car?
I am suspecting replacing the engine would be more labor intensive, but how can I check the bottom end of the engine is the car doesn't run?
Please give some advice! Thanks a lot in advance.

Have you tried a compression check? First squirt a little oil into the plug holes to coat the rings.

Get some water and fill the expansion tank. Squeeze the top radiator hose to force air bubbles out, add more water. Then try running the engine, what have you got to loose? At least you can find out if the radiator has sprung a leak and the PO killed the engine with over heating. If it was overheated, you could be looking at an engine replace.
Or, the top of the engine coated with oil could be from a plugged PVC system.

You either have a cheap gem or a piece of glass,

Klaus
--
The 164 has a new home, all I am left with are a 95 854T and a 98 V70R :)

doing a head gasket would be much easier in my opinion.
Could you get it to run just to check oil preasure etc.
while the head is in the shop being shaved there are loads of hoses
and gaskets that canbe cleaned or replaced, especially the
crankcase ventelation system.
P.O. diagnoses are often incorrect.try to confirm before
starting. I thought my 850 head gasket was bad bought the gasket and
turned out to be a small leak in the radiator.

Agree with checking other things as there are a number of signs which can fool one into believing it is the head gasket. Did replace one which was for sure a leak. Can also pull the plugs and see if all burn equally. Check coolant resevoir and crank case for oil and coolant mixtures.

dick

Did you replace the gasket on the oil cap?

'97 855na 175K, Mobil 1, K&N, various IPD's and eBays