Trying to get 550 Colman running

[kmiller7351]

Trying to get running a 550 Colman running but I think head gasket went bad. Do i just replace with new gasket, clean up and replace or is there more to it?

[Alien10]

It looks like there are water related deposits on the head/cylinder mating surfaces.  Those have the appearance of  standing water inside the combustion chamber.  Same with what appears to be the exhaust port in the head.   

Was this engine running just before it was torn down?  Were there any overheating issues with this engine when it was running?  Has it been in storage for a time where water could enter the combustion chamber and sit there before tear down?   Often, if coolant gets into the combustion chamber from a failed head gasket it actually produces an overly clean combustion chamber. Your pics remind me of  an accumulation of rusty sediment like an engine that's been stored outdoors for a time with water sitting in the cylinders. 

In any case, you should thoroughly clean all surfaces and inspect them for cracks or nicks.   If no cracks, be sure that all mating surfaces are very clean.  Even more important, be sure that the mating surfaces, are all flat. Heat warping can be an issue causing gasket failure and unless corrected, will continue to cause gasket failures.   Careful use of a machinist's straight edge and a light behind should reveal any dips or warps in the mating surfaces. Also using a known flat machinist's file lightly drawn across the surfaces with even pressure should  show any high or low spots on surfaces.   Check all surfaces at many angles to insure these are all flat and will seal the new gasket when properly torqued down.   If you are familiar with machinist's layout blue, that can also be used to find high or low spots. 

[kmiller7351]

So the white chain guide seems a little melted but i might be wrong. No to the running to the other question. When it was shipped from another base all fluids are drained and you really dont know what you are getting in the end game. I am trying to just see if i can get it running as a project. When i filled the radiator i was looking for spark and was getting sprayed with antifreeze and no spark present either. So the other thing i noticed is that the timing marks in the inspection dont line up with TDC. And i saw 3 marks so not sure which were right ones but the didnt match up with piston at TDC. This all really started with an ignition switch missing but i havent ordered one yet. Getting ready to remove next case where timing chain is and i think a belt.  Not sure if this works out but where can i get a replacement engine unless there is hope with where i am at with it.