head gasket question
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,782
Likes: 876
From: Foothills of NC
Did you get the block good and clean of old gasket material? Sometimes the deck will look clean in low light, but still be a very fine layer of gasket in a place or two that has been scraped and sanded until it looks like it's part of the block.
Found that out the hard way back when I was a teen changing head gaskets in a dirt floor garage, at night, using a hand held shop light.
Was a sick feeling when I had a friend hit the starter and water squirted out from under the head......
Found that out the hard way back when I was a teen changing head gaskets in a dirt floor garage, at night, using a hand held shop light.
Was a sick feeling when I had a friend hit the starter and water squirted out from under the head......
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 998
Likes: 3
From: North Pole
Did you get the block good and clean of old gasket material? Sometimes the deck will look clean in low light, but still be a very fine layer of gasket in a place or two that has been scraped and sanded until it looks like it's part of the block.
Found that out the hard way back when I was a teen changing head gaskets in a dirt floor garage, at night, using a hand held shop light.
Was a sick feeling when I had a friend hit the starter and water squirted out from under the head......
Found that out the hard way back when I was a teen changing head gaskets in a dirt floor garage, at night, using a hand held shop light.
Was a sick feeling when I had a friend hit the starter and water squirted out from under the head......
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,616
Likes: 1,182
From: San Jose, CA
Are these by any chance a FelPro brand gasket? What part number?
I know yours is a 390, but there was a leaking issue with one particular part number set on the Windsor family engines that was ******* owners for years. The company still sold that number (and still does from what I remember), but had at least two alternative parts that could be used as well. Not sure why they kept selling one with so many complaints.
Maybe they have the same issue with the FE gaskets. But then, we'd likely have heard about it here on the forums long before this.
Have any others had a recurring issue with FE head gaskets?
And I'm sure you're aware, but just to be 100% certain we don't leave any stone unturned, are you following the exact FE torque sequence, and in exact stages specified in the book?
Good luck.
Paul
I know yours is a 390, but there was a leaking issue with one particular part number set on the Windsor family engines that was ******* owners for years. The company still sold that number (and still does from what I remember), but had at least two alternative parts that could be used as well. Not sure why they kept selling one with so many complaints.
Maybe they have the same issue with the FE gaskets. But then, we'd likely have heard about it here on the forums long before this.
Have any others had a recurring issue with FE head gaskets?
And I'm sure you're aware, but just to be 100% certain we don't leave any stone unturned, are you following the exact FE torque sequence, and in exact stages specified in the book?
Good luck.
Paul
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,782
Likes: 876
From: Foothills of NC
This deserves to be posted twice. Great question, and something easy to overlook..........It's usually the simple stuff that gets you.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 998
Likes: 3
From: North Pole
ya I used the dowels, the gasket was in the right spot on the block, everything looked good. gonna pull it back apart soon as my ankle heals up. I have no Idea what the hell I did wrong. thanks for the tips. Yes it is always the easy stuff that kicks our butts.
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 998
Likes: 3
From: North Pole
Are these by any chance a FelPro brand gasket? What part number?
I know yours is a 390, but there was a leaking issue with one particular part number set on the Windsor family engines that was ******* owners for years. The company still sold that number (and still does from what I remember), but had at least two alternative parts that could be used as well. Not sure why they kept selling one with so many complaints.
Maybe they have the same issue with the FE gaskets. But then, we'd likely have heard about it here on the forums long before this.
Have any others had a recurring issue with FE head gaskets?
And I'm sure you're aware, but just to be 100% certain we don't leave any stone unturned, are you following the exact FE torque sequence, and in exact stages specified in the book?
Good luck.
Paul
I know yours is a 390, but there was a leaking issue with one particular part number set on the Windsor family engines that was ******* owners for years. The company still sold that number (and still does from what I remember), but had at least two alternative parts that could be used as well. Not sure why they kept selling one with so many complaints.
Maybe they have the same issue with the FE gaskets. But then, we'd likely have heard about it here on the forums long before this.
Have any others had a recurring issue with FE head gaskets?
And I'm sure you're aware, but just to be 100% certain we don't leave any stone unturned, are you following the exact FE torque sequence, and in exact stages specified in the book?
Good luck.
Paul
yes I am using the fel-pro gasket and part number 8554PT. I torqued the head down to edelbrock specs and used the sequences in the book. Its like the rear coolant passage isn't getting covered up completely and I don't know why. I haven't heard of anyone having issues like this.
Upsets me though, only reason I changed the gaskets is cause the right one had a small oil leak and I thought I put one on 180 degrees out. turns out I installed them both correctly.
thanks Tim
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,782
Likes: 876
From: Foothills of NC
I really hope you can find out what is going on soon. I know all too well how disgusting a problem that makes no sense can be.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 855
Likes: 56
From: Des Moines, Washington
Just remembered a buddy telling me his intake was warped on his 390 powered Torino. I don't remember what it leaked, oil, water or intake air but it took him several rounds to figure it out. Might want to see if you can figure out a way to check it for warp. Maybe pull the carb studs, if it has them, put it upside down on the flattest surface you can find and use a home made height gauge to check various points on each side. Maybe the bottom or top edge of the bolt holes or some other feature that should be at the same height from side to side and front to back. The height gauge needn't be fancy, a nail in a stick would work as long as it has a flat bottom and the nail won't budge if you bump it.
Michael
Michael
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 998
Likes: 3
From: North Pole
well I figured out my problem and its not the head. my dumb @$$ didn't flip the gasket over on the left bank like you are supposed to. Now I just have to reinstall the intake which is being a pain. the gaskets don't want to stay put and keep pushing out but I will get it. thanks for all the help everyone.
Tim
Tim
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 855
Likes: 56
From: Des Moines, Washington
Glad you were able to figure it out. I read and re-read the little leaflet that came with the gaskets, read and reread the forums and still wasn't 100% sure I'd get it right myself. I think it may have been the first time I've EVER put the distributor in correctly when I put mine back together last month so I've learned to not trust myself with some things.
Michael
Michael
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 998
Likes: 3
From: North Pole
She is all put back together but now she wont start. Its always one thing or another. gonna let the battery charge completely and hopefully that's the issue. I have to double check everything myself and then still doubt some stuff. I don't know how many of these engines I have worked on but I always second guess myself.
Tim
Tim
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