555D Backhoe leaking water into oil

Using machine and had alot of steam from valve cover breather tube. Shut down and oil was about a gallon too full with water. Drained out and put in clean oil. Pumped pressure test to 10 psi and it seemed to hold. Put in a bottle of K-Seal and did some work then shut down. Checked oil couple hours later and had 2 to 3 qts overfull and the typical light cream color look from water. No oil showing in cooling system. Anyone had problem with the 555D getting a sudden water leak like this? It would be helpful to know what you found was the problem on your machine. Does the 256 engine have wet sleeves? I'm hoping just a headgasket. Thanks in advance for comments. LB
 
Without looking, I'd say a 555 should have a 201. But maybe by the D series they bumped it to the 256. Either way, they're a sleeveless design. Suddenly getting lots if steamy blowby and water in the oil is apt to be a cavitation hole in a cylinder wall. The fix is to pull the block, bore and sleeve back to standard dimensions.
 
256 engine. I'm disapointed a newer engine can't go over 3000 hrs before a major issue. I have an Oliver gas rig going on 10000 hrs, made in 1956.

Thanks for your comments. It sort of confirmed my thoughts. I have a fellow tearing it down right now. I'd like to hear it is just a head problem but don't expect that to be the case.

I see rebuilt 256 engines for sale on supplier websites. I wonder if thoses have been sleeved already? I would hate to buy one just on the edge of another hole in the cylinder wall. LB
 

Did you check the pH of your coolant the last 3000 hours and use the Ford additive to raise the pH.

These guys know how to deal with Ford pin holes. Cylinder walls are common sources but pin holes can break out in many other places.

http://www.abilenemachine.com/eng_options.html

You may find that one or more of the engines you are looking at were rebuilt by Abilene Machine. Ford engines will run 10,000 hours easily as long as they have clean air, clean oil and good coolant.

You might want to talk to the rebuilder if you have to buy another engine. You want a block that is not only machined and sleeved, but also measured for thickness in all the places where pin holes breed.
 
(quoted from post at 17:03:47 06/14/15) 256 engine. I'm disapointed a newer engine can't go over 3000 hrs before a major issue. I have an Oliver gas rig going on 10000 hrs, made in 1956.

Those engines are known for the cavitation problems if not properly maintained with the correct coolant additives. I'm sure that the owner's manual said to use the correct mixture but if a previous owner didn't follow the instructions in the manual then it is the fault of the maintainer, not the manufacturer. What you're saying is similar to blaming a car manufacturer for premature engine failure when the owner never changed the oil or filter.
 

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