I just built a 436 C.I. Small block with all top shelf parts....I am running Brodix/weldtech -10x heads (new). My block is a Motown (Merlin) block (new). The block has blind tapped holes...meaning they do not protrude into water jackets I am using Cometic gaskets...for those who dont know they are 3 piece steel gaskets ($75.00 each). Very good quality..good for street...require no sealer no re-torque. using ARP studs....no sealer...not needed remember holes are blind tapped.......torqued in sequence in 15lb incriments. Block was decked heads were milled.

The problem is I have noticed oil leaking from the short head bolt/stud at the front of the cylinder head/block on the passenger side....looks like it is seeping up through the threads.....not sure how this is possible....there is no oil in this area....my only thought is a small crack in the block(from the edge of the cylinder bore to the bolt hole in the block....some oilwhich is passing by the rings is seeping to the threads and coming out.........or a problem with milling?? Spark plug in this cylinder is light gray.....dont realling think there is that much oil passing by the rings.......the oil is not "tracking" from somewhere else......just from the treads....I looked with a flashlight and mirror......very frustrated,........If anyone has any ideas please reply......Motor is not using excessive oil and runs great.........only 400 miles on new parts....

Help ...please.......Thanks Tom


PRO

 

Tom

You know, you could RTV the bolt threads and it may seal the leak. It won't probably fix the problem (where its leaking from), but it might keep it from hitting the floor.

Compare compression from that cylinder to another to make sure the head gasket isn't smoked. John said it is running perfect, but maybe after it heats up it could be sealing and when it cools, oil seeps out.


Regards
Bowtie8's Dad.

 

Put a leak down tester on cylinder #2 where the bolt is .......then I "soaped" up the bolt....no bubbles at all...this was done with the engine cold...wonder if warming the engine will make a difference.....I am going to try some Loctitie penetrating sealer...its supposed to work into the threads....

Any ideas??

 

Tommy
The first message was from John Jr. I wonder did you have the world block Magnafluxed ?
I would probably call them immediately(world)
It must be the stud down by the exhaust flange the short ones the way you discribed it.
You could put dye in oil maybe that will tell you more.
bet it runs though!
We will be waiting to hear.
John Sr. blktie8

 

I was talking with my engine builder the other week about the Cometics. He mentioned Chrysler was using a version for recall work and specifying sealer on them. Cometic doesn't recommend a sealer. They're multilayer to allow for movement. He's having real good luck with them on forced induction import stuff.

Another friend using them on a LS1 mentioned having to do multiple retorques to get them compressed and to keep the torque numbers where they are supposed to be.

You sure the valve cover isn't leaking ? The only reason I ask is that headbolt area really doesn't have much oil around it and you must have a decent leak to have noticed it.

Good luck to you. I sure hope you find something other than the block.

Like mentioned before, I'd dye the oil and take a look in that area with a black light.

 

I never had the block magnafluxed.......kicking myself ///I did everything but that.

As far as calling world.....I will just to get it on the record...that I am having a problem....I do not want to pull this engine apart.....I will see if they have been having any problems.......not sure if they will tell me the truth or not???

The bolt is the short outer bolt...and yes it is not near any oil source other than the cylinder......The odd thing....I can let the engine sit overnight and open the radiator cap/......and there is still pressure...I would think with a crack that I would be having some water/coolant problems of some sort.

I filled the cylinder with 100psi of constant pressure...no "bubbles" from the stud/bolt.....

Checked all the torque on the adjacent bolts...they are all fine.....I have not hade any problems with the cometics as far as retorguing.....of course the bolt that is leaking is no accessible....or I would use some RTV on it..and worry about it later.......
http://www.saftlok.com/stl/thread_sealing.htm

will try this.....hopefully it will seep into threads as the site says....."post" install...

Keep the tips coming........thanks...

Will be running the car Friday.....if the weather is good....

 

I am also using the Cometic MLS gaskets on my Big Block. I have an aluminum Keith Black block with Dart aluminum heads. This block has blind tapped holes.

My gaskets are leaking coolant out of a few of the lower head studs and also from the gasket itself. So far I have dumped 2 of the larger size containers of Bar's Leaks in the radiator with mixed results. My car is currently on the DynoJet and the leaking seems to start and stop randomly. I don't have any extended street time with this combo yet.

I plan on contacting Cometic tomorrow and see what they think. I tried to contact them yesterday morning but they were closed. This is my second set of head gaskets from them. I made some dyno pulls with the first set and after I pulled the motor apart to check everything I replaced them. The thing I noticed was the oil that was trapped between the layers of the gasket. There was actually quite a bit.

I am wondering if the 3 layers are promoting some kind of fluid migration.

Steve

 

542 C2

I am not having any problems with coolant. I have been looking at my engine all day.....I am actually noticing oil "wet" look along the entire edge of the gasket....on both sides....I think oil is seeping past the head gasket like mentioned in the earlier reply....I am very dissapointed...I went with the Cometic gaskets to avoid any problems......

My intake end rails are completely dry...no oil on the actual ends of the heads/gasket.....only on the edge where the short bolts/studs are.

I am pretty convinced that oil is seeping from the cylinder...along the gasket to the edge....this is where gravity would take it......Like in the last reply if people are finding oil between the layers of gasket on a teardown there is obviously seepage occuring...

Going to call Cometic tomorrow ...see what they say....

 

Try using Permatex non hardening NO.2 thread/gasket sealer on the bolt threads...I had the same problem with an engine years ago and it worked for me... :cheers:

 

wow!!!!!!!!!! just bag the gaskets and use COPPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! poopie it's tried and true. :flag

 

What did you cime up with ?
Still working on John's house coming along
Keep us informed?

 

Isn't combustion pressure (BMEP) a whole bunch higher than 100 psig? It's probably pretty hard to detect a weeping problem with shop air.