Our 1990 780 Bertone has blown a head gasket twice in about three years, with normal mileage driven. It's the 4 cylinder turbo. Is this typical? Why would we be going through head gaskets?

The head was machined/resurfaced properly during the first headgasket job?

Are you running high boost/do you have a teenage driver? :)

Greg

Hey now, that comment about having a teenage driver is way off base. Having recently been one I find that derisive and uncalled for ;)

Actually, I'd be willing to bet that the head is warped slightly, I put together a 760 turbo that had been overheated (at least twice), it was a hack job, we knew the head was warped pretty bad, but we threw it on there anyway. Lasted about 5 months before it blew (in two places.. blown between 2-3 for a while, melted 1-2 and thats what stopped it). Scared me too, it sounded like the bottom end was about to come appart (i thought i'd left rod pieces on the road).

Its really easy to warp turbo heads, so thats where i'd put my money. yank it off and send it to a reputable head shop, and while they're shaving it have em give ya a 3 angle, won't cost much more.
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87 744 GLE Ti with bilstiens and ipd bars. 87 760 Ti (rip) 87 760 Ti @ 12 psi, 15.5 in the 1/4 mile

Most common cause of blown head gasket is an overheat incident. What are your symptoms?