I NEED HELP !!! I have a 78 turbo. Last month as I hit the gas racing a rice-burner and lost all horse power. A loud clanging noise comes from the top exhaust area on the right side(left if standing in front of the car). with my heart broke i made it home topping only 20mph all turbo. Just had a new turbo, turbo control box,oil line,ect. some tell me I popped a head basket. Others say lifters, crank... Even told me to give up the turbo for a 350ci. I told them the dont understand a"TURBO" and what it means. Lately I've been searching for a 231ci turbo that runs and exchange all the specs. But I cant find one. So is there somebody anybody out there that can help me get my Baby back on the road ? Could it be the wastegate ?
If the Turbo Control Center (Electronic Spark Control - ESC) is working, it should have protected you from popping a head gasket. At only 9 psi stock and steel shim head gaskets, blowing a gasket isn't too common. Hopefully your ok there. Do a compression check and find out.
I would check for a major exhaust leak. If someone used a gasket between the head and exhaust manifold, check it. They blow out very easily because the bolts tend to loosen up.
It won't be the wastegate. A big spring holds that closed. When the actuator fails, you can overboost, but again the TCC/ESC should pull all the timing and save the head gaskets.
If the ngine does have a mortal wound, and you're just looking to get it running again, use a non-turbo 3.8 V6. They can handle stock boost and even some more.
HTH,