1990 Corvette Engine Freshen Up
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 304
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From: Victoria Australia
Your biggest problem will be the condition of the block. The longer it weeps, the more it wears a groove in the deck and there's nothing that can be done about that (short of a new short block). That's probably why the problem continues to show up on these motors even though they've had the head gasket replaced.
Well can only hope mine does not have this worn groove on the block around cylinder 7 where its weeping.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,973
Likes: 341
From: Adelaide South Australia
[QUOTE=XR_Strider_GuY;1581018878]LOL OK wise guy. Quad cam power is driving me around at the moment mate. 
I got the kit from Pontiworld and I believe the gasket kit is from Felpro and was assured they are for the alloy headed engine.
If you look at the head gaskets you will see on the block side of the gasket there is a fibrous type material (usually blue or black) on the surface, this allows for the different expansion rates of the iron and alloy.
my brother has got one of those quad cam Fix Or Repair Daily things too
I got the kit from Pontiworld and I believe the gasket kit is from Felpro and was assured they are for the alloy headed engine.
If you look at the head gaskets you will see on the block side of the gasket there is a fibrous type material (usually blue or black) on the surface, this allows for the different expansion rates of the iron and alloy.
my brother has got one of those quad cam Fix Or Repair Daily things too
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 133
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From: hartwell ga
My 1990 gave up the original head gasket at 191,000 miles. I'm in the middle of doing this job myself. I can tell you one thing; if you pay someone to do this job they have earned every penny that you pay them. I am using the Felpro 1010 head gasket. Since 1990 the I have changed the antifreeze 4 times @ every 50k miles.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Victoria Australia
Well I have received pics and the Red arrow is put back together, started and coolant flushed a few times to make sure its all clean. I will report on how she goes next week. Looks like the groove in the block issue is unfounded. Here is hoping happy days. The shop put a new thermostat as well since the old one was crappy. Water pump was inspected and found no leaks so original one soldiers on.
Piston 7 area, you can see where the coolant has done a steam effect. Corvettes are not suppose to be steam powered.
One cylinder head out of a 45k mile C4 Corvette.
Block prepared for the new gasket right side.
Block prepared for the new gasket left side.
Piston 7 area, you can see where the coolant has done a steam effect. Corvettes are not suppose to be steam powered.
One cylinder head out of a 45k mile C4 Corvette.
Block prepared for the new gasket right side.
Block prepared for the new gasket left side.
Last edited by XR_Strider_GuY; Jul 3, 2012 at 05:03 AM. Reason: Adding some engine pics
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: Victoria Australia
Well back from the US and picked her up yesterday. Overall I am very happy with the results.
Had a 50 mile journey from the workshop to home in a mix of weather from pouring rain to sunny conditions. The car is smoother and when she is warm there is no longer the faint tappet noise I use to get. Haven't pushed the car yet but power feels smoother.
Still early days but so far not seeing any embarrassing drops of oil on the floor so the freshen up seems to have taken care of that. And of course, proof is in the pudding as we say here after a cool down my surge tank is chock full of water and not pressurized like it use to be. My workshop mentioned to me to run the coolant with water until a few hundred miles then switch to coolant to let everything bed in.
I did a few of my own clean ups post workshop to ensure hoses are routed back the way I want it and did a thorough check as one does. So far i am happy par 2 dented tune port runners. In defense after 22 years on the car they would be a wrestle to get them off and denting is inevitable as they have stupidly ultra thin casting.
Great to see the Red Arrow back where she belongs.
Left side of engine post operation.
Right side of engine.
Had a 50 mile journey from the workshop to home in a mix of weather from pouring rain to sunny conditions. The car is smoother and when she is warm there is no longer the faint tappet noise I use to get. Haven't pushed the car yet but power feels smoother.
Still early days but so far not seeing any embarrassing drops of oil on the floor so the freshen up seems to have taken care of that. And of course, proof is in the pudding as we say here after a cool down my surge tank is chock full of water and not pressurized like it use to be. My workshop mentioned to me to run the coolant with water until a few hundred miles then switch to coolant to let everything bed in.
I did a few of my own clean ups post workshop to ensure hoses are routed back the way I want it and did a thorough check as one does. So far i am happy par 2 dented tune port runners. In defense after 22 years on the car they would be a wrestle to get them off and denting is inevitable as they have stupidly ultra thin casting.
Great to see the Red Arrow back where she belongs.
Left side of engine post operation.
Right side of engine.
