Help - 428 fe leaky head gaskets?

[garry viohl]

I have a oil leak between the bottom of the cylinder head and top of the block. Rear of the motor and both sides. I have resealed the rear of the intake manifold and new rubber valve cover gaskets. Not leaking there.

Has anyone had problems with the Ultra Seal Head Gaskets? Who makes the best head gaskets for a 428 fe?


Mr. Gasket 5790 - Mr. Gasket Ultra-Seal Head Gaskets
Head Gaskets, Ultra-Seal, 4.400 in. Bore, .038 in. Compressed Thickness, Ford, 390-428, FE, Pair

Part Number: MRG-5790

[RICK LAKE]

garry viohl Garry the 1020 felpro work fine with a couple of simple things to check. I use Hi-tac on all my head gaskets for the last 30+ years. SBC,BBC,FE,AMC,HEMI, and others. From the location you are talking about, I would have the block and the head checked with a straight edge square. It sounds more like a machining fault. One or both surfaces are not true. It is also possible that the head or block is pitted in this location. You didn't say much about your motor, Is it all iron? aluminum block and heads? iron block and aluminum heads? Did you retorque the head bolts or studs after the motor was brokin in? You may need to retorque the head studs or bolts. Is it also possible that the head gaskets you are using are not perfect around the oil return drains. You have to check the head gaskets to make sure that the drain are not partially covered. I have seen this on a couple of FE motors including my own. Before you get crazy, I would tell you to buy an oil leak dye kit and make sure that you know where the oil leak is coming from. I have seen oil leaks at the back of the motor and find out they started at the front of the motor and travel along the block along the oil pan rail. Something to think about? Rick L. If you have any questions send me a PM here to talk.

[rustyBob]

Garry did you trim the little nub that sticks up from the intake gasket into the valve cover gasket, i dont care how much gasket sealer you use on the valve covers they will leak where that nub sticks up.

[Argess]

I've had great luck with the 1020 Fel-Pro, however I once accidently installed some other Fel-Pro P/N...must ahve been a cheaper alternative line they make. No time at all before a coolant leak between ehad and block. Comparing the two, the cheaper one was terrible...great gaping areas (holes) between the metal cyl rings and the rest of the gasket. So, the point is, some gaskets are really bad, so stick to the 1020.

I havn't had to re-torque a 1020, although it's a good idea. I tried once, but no movement. They didn't compress enough over time to allow loose enough head bolts that I could overcome the intial torque (force to overcome friction) to get them to move.

One other thought. It's not uncommon for a little engine oil to seep past the spark-plug threads. It gathers and runs along the head gasket and makes it look like a leak. Do a visual inspection around the plugs with a flashlight and even remove plugs that looks suspect for a better view.