AFR heads still have oil return problem
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
AFR heads still have oil return problem
Great heads, performance wise and probably better than they were before but the oil return problem is still there and it builds up and leaks out the back corners.
Going to have to get some cork gaskets and RTV both sides this is a PIA with solid roller because I take the valve cover off frequently.
Never had this problem with any other heads even cheaper heads at half the price. I don't understand why they can't fix this
Going to have to get some cork gaskets and RTV both sides this is a PIA with solid roller because I take the valve cover off frequently.
Never had this problem with any other heads even cheaper heads at half the price. I don't understand why they can't fix this
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
Seems like others have done that, but for some reason the oil doesn't drain back properly on these heads, you take the valve cover off and there are little puddles all the way down getting bigger towards the back. So just sitting there with the engine off all the oil doesn't drain back. So this is the problem, It really PO'ed me today, I have had the Vette for 15 years and my neighbour complained for the first time about the burnt oil smell, runs out of the corner and drips on the headers 
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
With all the complaints about the old head problems like my AFR210's, it would have seemed like they would have fixed the problem of oil control
I have pictures of how Smokedtires machined his. I machined mine for better oil return and have not had any leaking.
I have pictures of how Smokedtires machined his. I machined mine for better oil return and have not had any leaking.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Great heads, performance wise and probably better than they were before but the oil return problem is still there and it builds up and leaks out the back corners.
Going to have to get some cork gaskets and RTV both sides this is a PIA with solid roller because I take the valve cover off frequently.
Never had this problem with any other heads even cheaper heads at half the price. I don't understand why they can't fix this
Going to have to get some cork gaskets and RTV both sides this is a PIA with solid roller because I take the valve cover off frequently.
Never had this problem with any other heads even cheaper heads at half the price. I don't understand why they can't fix this
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I can RTV the gaskets to the heads and then to the valve covers and have no leaks too.
That's not my point here. The oil should have a good path back to the return hole and not build up enough to leak in the first place. Like I said above I have the valve covers on and off all the time and until now it was a breeze, never needed any RTV. Now I am going to have to scrap that crap off and buy new gaskets everytime I want to set / check the lash on my solid roller cam
That's not my point here. The oil should have a good path back to the return hole and not build up enough to leak in the first place. Like I said above I have the valve covers on and off all the time and until now it was a breeze, never needed any RTV. Now I am going to have to scrap that crap off and buy new gaskets everytime I want to set / check the lash on my solid roller cam
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I just use the silicone gaskets with the metal inserts so you can't crush the gasket. This worked fine even b efore I machined the heads.
I' will post pics later. I machined a trough 1/2 wide right down to the spring pocket depth the length of the head. The I opened up the size of the oil return holes. So now the oil does not build up as high
I' will post pics later. I machined a trough 1/2 wide right down to the spring pocket depth the length of the head. The I opened up the size of the oil return holes. So now the oil does not build up as high
Last edited by gkull; Jun 22, 2009 at 12:26 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
I've been using the same rubber gasket for a few years with no leaks to speak of. I RTV'd the gasket to the valve cover, but left the head side clean. I run a solid flat tappet cam, so the covers come off once in a while for checking. Last time I had it open only two valves needed adjustment, and only a few thousandths. I checked them all since I already had bought the beer.............The heads are the old style AFR 195's.
Last edited by The Money Pit; Jun 22, 2009 at 11:35 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I did more extensive machining. 1/2 wide milling bit. I did not take away any of the heads valve cover shelf. I did not want less gasket sealing. Mine is cut down to the bottom of the spring pocket to keep oil away from the valve stem seals and to make a flow path for faster return. My oil returen holes at each end of the head have been enlarged and recontoured for oil return and not such a big residual oil puddle like what is shown here.
Pictures are awaiting Photobucket approval before they appear
Pictures are awaiting Photobucket approval before they appear
Last edited by gkull; Jun 22, 2009 at 04:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I did more extensive machining. 1/2 wide milling bit. I did not take away any of the heads valve cover shelf. I did not want less gasket sealing. Mine is cut down to the bottom of the spring pocket to keep oil away from the valve stem seals and to make a flow path for faster return. My oil returen holes at each end of the head have been enlarged and recontoured for oil return and not such a big residual oil puddle like what is shown here.
Pictures are awaiting Photobucket approval before they appear
Pictures are awaiting Photobucket approval before they appear
Looks just like mine, big puddle of oil in the corner and it never drains out, soon as you fire it up more oil comes down and it leaks
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
My 210 with lots of work is on my spare motor in a crate and I'm not digging it out just for pictures
Last edited by gkull; Jun 22, 2009 at 07:29 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 7
From: Adelaide South Australia
Are you running a PCV and breather system?
I can't tell from the pic in the avatar.
Just wondering if you are building positive pressure under the rocker cover which is compounding the issue?
tom
I can't tell from the pic in the avatar.
Just wondering if you are building positive pressure under the rocker cover which is compounding the issue?
tom
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,961
Likes: 573
From: Lompoc, CA. Santa Barbara County
I have the new AFR 195s, and I run a big block oil pump. I think I have the new improved drainback heads, I asked here when I got them. But I always have plenty of oil on top of the heads, too much I think. It will leak at the corners eventually. Cranking down the valve cover bolts works only once or twice, then it's buy new gaskets. Stained my jet hot headers. I'd like to see the machining done to your heads.
Bee Jay
Bee Jay
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
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From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I have the new AFR 195s, and I run a big block oil pump. I think I have the new improved drainback heads, I asked here when I got them. But I always have plenty of oil on top of the heads, too much I think. It will leak at the corners eventually. Cranking down the valve cover bolts works only once or twice, then it's buy new gaskets. Stained my jet hot headers. I'd like to see the machining done to your heads.
Bee Jay
Bee Jay
Yes I am running a functional PCV system
