Help me - I can't think, too angry.

Motor finished, minutes from being started and broken in. I was adding water to the cooling system as a final preparation when I notice there is a lot of water pouring off the engine - a lot more than I had spilled. Turns out the drivers head bolt, 4th from the front, 2nd from the back was spewing water. I must have really messed up something somewhere because the 125 ft./lb. torqued bolt was allowing water to pass like nothing at all. Did I put the head gasket on incorrectly? Is something damaged?
On a bright side, the plugs weren't in yet, so the water was about .0005 milimeters from going into the cylinder and causing me even more problems.

Let me know what you guys think - I'm gonna have to put this thing on hold for a while for monetary reasons, I think, but I'd like to know the source of my problem.

-Patrick

 

125 ft lbs? That is a little high I would think. I go about 80 on the short bolts and 90 on the long bolts for a stock head. You have a problem somewhere in there. Better pull the head and check it out. Make sure the head isn't cracked.

 

ARP Bolts on Edelbrock Heads. No Cracks.

I might tear it down tomorrow - Yeah...that's about right. I'm so angry right now. Off to work I go...

-Patrick

 

I went 90/100 on my edelbrocks. ARP wanted less and edelbrock wanted 100/110. I just looked at a bare block out in the shed and there is a water passage right by that bolt. Looks like the gasket failed. Make sure the surface is super clean the next go - round. That is still a little weird.

 

Did you make sure that the head gasket was installed with the TOP stamp on top? Did you check to see if all the holes lined up? sounds like you put it in wrong.

 

I wouldn't worry too much if water got into the cylinders. It won't really damage anything. You'll just have to change the oil if it got by the rings.

 

make sure it's not coming from one of the exhaust bolt holes. That happened with my edelbrocks. I just put some high-temp sealer on those 2 bolts, and no more issues. I think this is even mentioned somewhere in theEdelbrock literature...

 

So far the most likely culprit seems to be a mistake on my part while installing the gasket - the surfaces were perfectly smooth and the gasket was brand new. Anyway, I'll tear it down tomorrow and see what there is to see.

-Patrick

 

Is it possible that the bolt bottomed out and is torqued into the bottom of the hole?

 

Alright - I needed my dads help to get those bolts off. I must say, I am very disappointed with the ARP bolts. Anyway, I would first like to correct my previous statement; in my haste, I said they were torqued to 125 ft/lbs., when in fact, they were 110/100 as per the Edelbrock guy's instructions.

What we found:
Clean and unobstructed surface on both the block and head. A properly installed gasket, (see pictures). No bottoming issues between ARP bolts and Edelbrock Heads.
Most Importantly:
The problem bolt was a lot easier to come off than any of the other bolts. It was NOT torqued to the same degree. How this happened I am not sure, I went around multiple times to check them - but the 'facts is the facts.'

I am hoping I simply missed that bolt while torquing, it would seem reasonable anyway. What do you all think?

Click Here for Pictures

-Patrick

 

There is no way it would loosen if it was torqued and was not bottomed out. What gaskets are those? I think I like them. The bores are actually round!

 

I am assuming/hoping that I didn't torque that one all the way down - it's the only explanation that makes sense. Do you guys see any glaring mistakes or problems?
In response to your question, that gasket is the Fel-Pro 1020, as was recommended by the Edelbrock guy. The other gaskets "are bull*$&# - use the FelPro 1020 as it has graphite coating," said the Edelbrock guy. The gasket itself seems to be a quality piece, I'll be purchasing a new set tomorrow. Down side to the gaskets is that they set you back $70.

-Patrick

 

Are my eyes playing tricks on me guys or are those gaskets round? I have 1020s on mine too but they are cloverleafed shaped. Maybe felpro has fixed this problem. I never could figure out a reason. Can you look to see if the bores are perfectly round patrick?

 

They are perfectly round. Strange that the shape would be different.

I have the AutoZone (I know, I know) receipt and store transfer receipt in my hand right now - 1020's they are.

What do you make of my situation?

-Patrick