New Jeep Repair/Build thread

[DanMan2k06]

I thought I'd start a new thread in here on the new addition I just picked up.

It's a '99, 130k, Classic edition, Dana 35 and ABS, auto, excellent condition, and bought with a "blown head gasket".

$750

Well we didn't even attempt to start it at the guy's house when it was purchased. Put it on the trailer and got it in the driveway. Yesterday me and a friend decided to see if it would crank. Not only did it turn over (with a jump box) but it started after about 2 cranks. Last time it was started was before Halloween of last year. After letting it run for about 5 seconds I shut it off, just in case things were really messed up inside the motor.

So today I investigated a little more. Started the engine up and let it idle for a few minutes, revved it, etc. It ran fine. There was a little white smoke out the tailpipe, but it could have just been from water or vapor or something. There was a huge coolant leak at the water pump. There's a metal line that looked like it's part of the heater system that was pouring out at the threads, so I couldn't do a coolant pressure test.

So I moved on to do a compression test. ALL of the cylinders tested ok. Lowest was 145, highest was 155. So based on the readings and the fact that it ran perfectly fine, I think the head gasket it totally fine.

What else could I check to verify that the head gasket is in fact alright. The jeep is still on the trailer. When taking the plug wires out, a bunch of them ripped and broke so I can't start it until those are replaced. Any suggestions? Opinions?