NG with blown head gasket...how long can it run like that?

[David Ullrich]

Hey all,

As I mentioned a while back, I am going to do the BABE Rally in May and am
in search of a car. I have found a 1988 80q  for sale that just might fit
the bill. But, and this might be a big but...it apparently has a blown head
gasket. It blows white smoke and uses a bit of coolant. My question...how
long can a NG take that kind of abuse (being run/driven with a bad head
gasket)? No sign of fluid mixing (like no oil in the coolant and no coolant
in the oil) according to the current owner. The reason I ask is I would just
run as is and not try to mess with it. I would barely be able to get the car
for the max I am allowed to spend on my "race car" so doing mechanical
repairs wont likely be possible (unless somebody local is willing to donate
the labor and I buy the gasket, I'm a terrible wrench and wouldn't even try
to do it myself). SO, anyone care to chime in on the idea of running an NG
with a bad head gasket? Suicide? Car needs to make it from where it is
bought, to Baltimore MD (or Norfolk VA) then in May from there up to NYC May
and down to New Orleans.

TIA,

Dave
87 CGT 2.3