Problems with the new engine
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 845
Likes: 54
From: Bangor, Northern Ireland
I've used the 0.015 Fel-pro lots of times, stick with them as they do bump your CR up.
All I can suggest is to clean up the mating surfaces really well, reuse the gaskets if they're not damaged, bolt one back on with lots of thread sealer in the holes and on the treads and torque down 10ft lbs more than suggested.
Let the sealer go off before you spin the engine over
Then do a compression test.
I've only ever used ARP bolts so i'm not sure how reusable stock bolts are?
Take your time and you should be fine
All I can suggest is to clean up the mating surfaces really well, reuse the gaskets if they're not damaged, bolt one back on with lots of thread sealer in the holes and on the treads and torque down 10ft lbs more than suggested.
Let the sealer go off before you spin the engine over
Then do a compression test.
I've only ever used ARP bolts so i'm not sure how reusable stock bolts are?
Take your time and you should be fine
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek MI
I used the 7733 gasket with coppercoat. I wonder if the 1094 would have been the better choice and not use the copper coat? IDK. Anyone have a part number recommendation for using the vortec heads on this 880 block?
BTW... pics of my oil leak mentioned way earlier in this thread:
BTW... pics of my oil leak mentioned way earlier in this thread:
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek MI
I've used the 0.015 Fel-pro lots of times, stick with them as they do bump your CR up.
All I can suggest is to clean up the mating surfaces really well, reuse the gaskets if they're not damaged, bolt one back on with lots of thread sealer in the holes and on the treads and torque down 10ft lbs more than suggested.
Then do a compression test.
I've only ever used ARP bolts so i'm not sure how reusable stock bolts are?
Take your time and you should be fine
All I can suggest is to clean up the mating surfaces really well, reuse the gaskets if they're not damaged, bolt one back on with lots of thread sealer in the holes and on the treads and torque down 10ft lbs more than suggested.
Then do a compression test.
I've only ever used ARP bolts so i'm not sure how reusable stock bolts are?
Take your time and you should be fine
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 845
Likes: 54
From: Bangor, Northern Ireland
Is this the gasket you're using?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fe...1/media/images
If that's just steel then that's bound to leak
I used this -http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-1094/overview/
Mine actually are blue in colour but similar to the above
The only metal gaskets i've used are copper because they compress
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fe...1/media/images
If that's just steel then that's bound to leak
I used this -http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-1094/overview/
Mine actually are blue in colour but similar to the above
The only metal gaskets i've used are copper because they compress
Last edited by aaroncorvette; Mar 30, 2013 at 10:12 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek MI
But I don't think they came with the washers. I remember when assembling it that maybe they were talking about the head studs/nuts needing washers since these had a washered head. Well, there's another thing to add to my shopping list this time.
Is this the gasket you're using?
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fe...1/media/images
If that's just steel then that's bound to leak
I used this -http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-1094/overview/
Mine actually are blue in colour but similar to the above
The only metal gaskets i've used are copper because they compress
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fe...1/media/images
If that's just steel then that's bound to leak
I used this -http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fel-1094/overview/
Mine actually are blue in colour but similar to the above
The only metal gaskets i've used are copper because they compress
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 476
Likes: 37
From: Lynnwood WA
Vortec heads and intakes do not have the water passages that all other SBC heads have. You must run a coolant line from the intake manifold to the water pump or it will build up steam and not allow water to circulate in the top end. This can be kind of hard on gaskets and stuff. This is a problem that most Corvettes already have, but made much worse with the vortec setup. Easy to fix, and we'll worth the effort to use the vortec stuff.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 845
Likes: 54
From: Bangor, Northern Ireland
Vortec heads and intakes do not have the water passages that all other SBC heads have. You must run a coolant line from the intake manifold to the water pump or it will build up steam and not allow water to circulate in the top end. This can be kind of hard on gaskets and stuff. This is a problem that most Corvettes already have, but made much worse with the vortec setup. Easy to fix, and we'll worth the effort to use the vortec stuff.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek MI
Vortec heads and intakes do not have the water passages that all other SBC heads have. You must run a coolant line from the intake manifold to the water pump or it will build up steam and not allow water to circulate in the top end. This can be kind of hard on gaskets and stuff. This is a problem that most Corvettes already have, but made much worse with the vortec setup. Easy to fix, and we'll worth the effort to use the vortec stuff.
Is there a link to an article where I can read up on it?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 476
Likes: 37
From: Lynnwood WA
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 476
Likes: 37
From: Lynnwood WA
Here, these guys have a long thread about it. They start out with a ram jet but it is the same for your setup.
http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59036
http://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=59036
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek MI
I will add that to the list of things to do. I was informed (incorrectly apparently) that the extra hole on the passenger side water pump flange was for coolant bypass...
Last edited by TimberwolfFXDL; Mar 30, 2013 at 04:38 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 476
Likes: 37
From: Lynnwood WA
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek MI
I am thinking I will run it from the top of the water pump to that port ont he front of the intake in the picture above.
Having a hell of a time trying to find the part number for a set of ARP washers that are the right size for these bolts. I used the 134-3601 bolts... if I knew what washers came with them I can order a replacement set. Kinda wondering if this might be a big contributor to my problem. If I ran out of thread (hit a shoulder) in the hole I could theoretically still hit torque spec without having a good clamp.
Having a hell of a time trying to find the part number for a set of ARP washers that are the right size for these bolts. I used the 134-3601 bolts... if I knew what washers came with them I can order a replacement set. Kinda wondering if this might be a big contributor to my problem. If I ran out of thread (hit a shoulder) in the hole I could theoretically still hit torque spec without having a good clamp.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 845
Likes: 54
From: Bangor, Northern Ireland
I am thinking I will run it from the top of the water pump to that port ont he front of the intake in the picture above.
Having a hell of a time trying to find the part number for a set of ARP washers that are the right size for these bolts. I used the 134-3601 bolts... if I knew what washers came with them I can order a replacement set. Kinda wondering if this might be a big contributor to my problem. If I ran out of thread (hit a shoulder) in the hole I could theoretically still hit torque spec without having a good clamp.
Having a hell of a time trying to find the part number for a set of ARP washers that are the right size for these bolts. I used the 134-3601 bolts... if I knew what washers came with them I can order a replacement set. Kinda wondering if this might be a big contributor to my problem. If I ran out of thread (hit a shoulder) in the hole I could theoretically still hit torque spec without having a good clamp.
Check these are right http://www.summitracing.com/parts/arp-apw1316n
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek MI
Maybe? My local speed shop sells the washers separately, they should have come with the kit surely? They are mainly for ali heads to stop galling but I use them on steel heads too.
Check these are right http://www.summitracing.com/parts/arp-apw1316n
Check these are right http://www.summitracing.com/parts/arp-apw1316n
I emailed both ARP and the KMJ Performace seller from ebay. Maybe one of them can help.
About to order my head gaskets. Just deciding if there's anything else I want to get coming at the same time
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 845
Likes: 54
From: Bangor, Northern Ireland
I have no way to tell if they are right? They sell several different inner and outer diameters. If I could find out what originally was supposed to be included then I'd know what to order
I emailed both ARP and the KMJ Performace seller from ebay. Maybe one of them can help.
About to order my head gaskets. Just deciding if there's anything else I want to get coming at the same time
I emailed both ARP and the KMJ Performace seller from ebay. Maybe one of them can help.
About to order my head gaskets. Just deciding if there's anything else I want to get coming at the same time
Do you have decent intake gaskets? 'the right stuff' sealer, thread lock etc?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek MI
They are the felpro MS98000ST gaskets
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek MI
based on your measurements, I come up with these:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ar...8539/overview/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ar...8539/overview/