Do I have a blown head gasket

There are several ways to check for a head gasket. Start the engine cold with the pressure cap off the pressurized surge tank. Watch the coolant in the surge tank for signs of bubbling or "false boilling". If so then it may be a sign that combustion pressure is entering the system through a failed head gasket.

Pump up the cooling sytem pressure with a cooling system pressure tester pump. Hold it at 15psi for several hours. Keep pumping it up if the pressure drops. Pull the plugs in the mean time. After several hours holding pressure rotate the engine with the starter with the plugs out. Watch for coolant spewing out the spark plug ports as a sign of a leaking head gasket.

With the cooling system full, apply 120psi shop air to each of the combustion chambers, one at a time, thru the spark plug port. Make an adapter out of an old spark plug shell and run shop air to the port. Rotate the engine so that the valves for that cylinder are closed. Watch the coolant in the surge tank for bubbling. If the chamber holds the 120psi with no bubbling then chances are the head gasket is fine.

Another way is to have an exhaust sniffer put into a half full surge/coolant tank...if the head gasket is leaking into the water passages it will show up on the exhaust sniffer.

Also look for water in your oil.

To overheat in such a short distance seems odd.

If you were sucking coolant into the cylinders you would likely see white smoke from the tailpipes. Like a smoke screen if the leak was serious. If you do not see white smoke at the tailpipe the head gasket might be ruled out. Blue=oil, white=coolant.

Failed water pump or water pump belt is another option. Not moving water will quickly over head an engine. But an accurate temp gauge would tell you that, the temp would be "pegged" to hot.

Vapor around the valve covers could be more a bad intake gasket leaking. Look for puddles of water around the intake or top of the motor. The valve covers are higher on the engine. If the head gasket was blown, steam would would be lower on the engine around the headers or sucked into the cylinders and burned as a white smoke.

Serious, stupid question. Was there any water on the engine before taking the trip? Could it be, water that collected on the intake overtime or after a wash. That would steam as the water cooked off.

What did the temp gauge say when getting home?

If the steam was really coming from the valve covers coolant has compromised your oil/lube circuit. Pull one valve cover and take a look. If you see a milk shake, don't run the engine any more. You may have a more serious problem. If it is clean oil, see comments above.

K

Also check you dipstik for water in the oil. It should have reached the oil pan.

No standing water or condensation on the motor as is was garaged in the sf bay area.

No milkshake mess in the oil pan have yet to pull the passenger side valve cover to inspect.
The oil was a bit dirty and ready for a change but not "milkshaky".

The steam appeared to come from lower on the motor by the headers if memory serves correctly.

I plan to pull the passenger seat and have a look at my belts my waterpump and replace the thermostat. At that time I 'll relocate the temp sender to the block from the surge tank provided there is a boss for that on the block?

All this is difficult enough when you're on the scenre. Its worse when not even a photo is available. There are quite a few Pantera experts in the S.F. Bay Area, and one or two in San Ramon. Almost all belong to the Northern CA Pantera Club, the originators of the 'Club Tech Session' where knowlegable members help you fix your car. Try calling the following phone # for assistence408)463-9442 and ask for Roger. He will be able to fix your problem.

just got off the phone with Roger. What a cool guy! Well looks like I'm going to be attending the meeting later this month and finding some help! Thanks Bosswrench!

You'll likely need some new parts, and the Tech Sessions are on Saturday when parts places in the area close at noon. Cleveland stuff is getting harder to find, too. Sometimes Larry Stock of PPC-Reno shows up with a truckload of stuff, but you should verify this if you want parts delivered to Roger's place. And since this is a half-party/half work-thing, bring the family! There'll likely be 50+ people in attendence. I've been at such events when, for a handicapped member, Roger & crew pulled the entire engine & ZF; the ZF was swapped out, a leaky gas tank replaced, a few wiring issues corrected and the car was reassembled & driven around the block by the owner, in 8 hours!