Copper head gasket leaking?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
From: Cape Coral FL
Copper head gasket leaking?
I got my car started today and ran it for a while. I noticed coolant coming out of a few of my lower head bolts. I put some block sealer in hoping it would help but it didn't. Do I need to retork and will that fix the problem or should I just take off and put a good set of Felpro. I plan for it to be a daily driver, but still want to take to track and possibly run up the boost higher. I did tork to spec and sequence. I also O-ringed the block. Any input would be help. Thanks :seeya
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: NY
Re: Copper head gasket leaking? (Allblownup)
Did you forget to put thread sealer on all the head bolts?
I've heard Copper head gaskets need sealer around the water passages, and are best for racing. :chevy
I've heard Copper head gaskets need sealer around the water passages, and are best for racing. :chevy
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 190
Likes: 10
From: southern new jersey
Re: Copper head gasket leaking? (Allblownup)
yeas ago that was all we used....we ALWAYS re-torqued.....
that might be all you need to do, get the motor hot and re-torque.
it's always a pain to take every thing off to do it....but it's the way to go.
that might be all you need to do, get the motor hot and re-torque.
it's always a pain to take every thing off to do it....but it's the way to go.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 708
Likes: 0
From: Renton Wa
Re: Copper head gasket leaking? (88-406)
I've just come across a problem with my copper gaskets. I have been trying to find out as to why my car will not stay running, "first time starting it since twin turbo build." Anyways, I checked the compression, and it was saying around 60 psi. I am kinda worried about this, seeing that I sealed all the bolts and torqued them down to 70 pounds in the correct sequence. I used Copper sealer on both sides. and have the heads O-ringed. I don't see how they could be leaking. I started to wonder about the compression tester, thinking it could be faulty or no threaded in tight enough, but ended up breaking it as I was trying to Tighten it more. "update, I got a new tester, but left ignition on and batterys dead now. Waiting for a charge.
Is 60 pounds infact too light of pressure?? 8:1 compression ratio. or at least thats what I have been told that my setup would create.
Is 60 pounds infact too light of pressure?? 8:1 compression ratio. or at least thats what I have been told that my setup would create.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,861
Likes: 1
From: Bremerton WA
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Copper head gasket leaking? (Allblownup)
copper gaskets are used for drag racing for a good reason. Sorry you are having trouble but they just aren't street "friendly" ...
Cory
Cory
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: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,033
Likes: 0
From: Tracy California
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: Copper head gasket leaking? (WashingtonRacer)
Is that 60 cranking psi? or diff? I would think you should at least blow 100 psi even with very aggresive Blower/Turbo cam.
KM
KM
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
From: Cape Coral FL
Re: Copper head gasket leaking? (88-406)
I am not to sure about that one. I would think it should be higher, but wait and see what some other input is. I still have no leaking of coolant.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Copper head gasket leaking? (Allblownup)
Your cranking compression should be alot higher. At least 150 and up. Copper head gaskets are more prone to seeping fluids not leaking. Even if you had a leaking gasket not all cylinders would leak. Try a leak down test or at least apply if you have a compressor high pressure air to the cylinder. A good cylinder will turn the motor over and very leakage can be heard. A poor cylinder will not turn over and it sounds like alot of leak. I prefer leak down tests to compression tests.
Either way 60 psi is too low. Even wild cams have more cranking pressure then this.
Either way 60 psi is too low. Even wild cams have more cranking pressure then this.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Katy, tx
Re: Copper head gasket leaking? (Allblownup)
How high are your o-rings sticking up out of the block? When o-ringed, you need a pretty thick gasket for it to seal right. For example, my o-rings are .010 up and the gasket folks told me I needed to use a .062 gasket minimum for it to seal right. (referring to my drag race car engine, not my Vette...)
