possible blown head gasket

[landacre]

i took the bronco for a drive yesterday and it got really hot. i guess my temp gauge isn't working. i popped the hood and noticed bebbles at the head gasket on the driver side and some drips of water in the passenger side under the manifold. it is a 170 straight six. is it possible to have blown the head gasket but not have gotten water in the oil?

 

[dieselracer]

Yes, the head gasket could have a crack or break in a spot where there is no oil passage. In which case, your engine might blow air/exhaust into the water jacket and radiator creating bubbles. Another thing, if your temperature gauge didn't warn you of the excessive heat, your water may be low, because if the temperature gauge isn't touching water, it won't show a correct reading. Water being low, could be the result of a cracked head gasket. However, changing the head gasket isn't that hard of a job, and can be done with only a basic socket/ratchet set and a scraper. But an angle die grinder with gasket prep pad would be a huge plus.