Operation "Blown Head Gasket"

[CowtownCobra]

I've had the best luck in torqueing head bolts when I wait for the ambient temp to hit <32 degs, then torque away. Give it a try

[*13*]

Where did I puy that freon spray...

[PANAVIA]

Sounds like you are on the right pathway , could just be a gasket.

if it happens again , then i would say you have a potato chipped shapped cylinder surface or head surface.

[*13*]

Thanks guys! I got her all buttoned back up yesterday morning. We'll see what happens...

[TButtrick]

Make sure it's burped well!

Good luck!!

[Clois Harlan]

[QUOTE
maybe a warm up and a retorque could have preventad this???????[/quote]

This is key especially when you are running Aluminium heads. Be sure and use a little RTV around the water ports on your heads on both sides of your gaskets. Just a tiny amount on tour finger and wipe it around the openings on the head and block. Also, don't forget about the gasket orientation.
I found this to be a huge advantage on FE's.


Clois

[*13*]

Originally Posted by TButtrick

Make sure it's burped well!

Good luck!!

I can burp with the best of them by now!

[TButtrick]

I've always found the SBFs to be a biatch to burp in my FFR. Mostly I think due to the radiator top laying down lower than the goose neck/filler. I installed petcocks at the rear end of the intake manifold to make burping easier. A friend who has a 289 in his TVR recommended the surgery. Works like a charm. I was amazed at how much air was trapped at the rear cooling channels. No crossover on the rear of this Edelbrock intake. The Tupperware air cleaner is a bit restrictive though.

[*13*]

That's not a bad idea. Luckily I have them there Webers & a pretty decent radiator height. Definitely something to keep in the back of my mind for future projects, though!

[Mus408]

What type torque wrench are you using?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by Mus408

What type torque wrench are you using?

Probably a "click-type" that has been repeatedly dropped on the cement floor and, on at least one occasion, used as a hammer to tap in a couple of finishing nails that backed out....

[*13*]

It's a quality piece, can't remember the name but we tested it with a Snap On that had been recently calibrated.

[*13*]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Probably a "click-type" that has been repeatedly dropped on the cement floor and, on at least one occasion, used as a hammer to tap in a couple of finishing nails that backed out....

Is that bad for it?

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by *13*

Is that bad for it?

Yeah, the click types are pretty sensitive. I've dropped them before and gotten them way out of whack. They can be re-calibrated though. I prefer them to the pointer type, other folks say just the opposite.

[*13*]

I was being funny, of course....I can be pretty rough on tools but not precision instruments. It tend baby them I tuck them away in a safe place when not in use

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by *13*

I was being funny, of course....

I know, but the problem is that six months from now a guy reads posts like this and can't tell that we were joking. I got an email a month or two ago from somebody asking me to clarify how do something that I had posted that was clearly a joke. I actually felt bad for leaving an un-clarified joke instruction in a post. It wasn't quite as bad as "have your friend hold the coil wire against his tongue while you crank the engine," but it was close (at least in my mind).

[*13*]

That would be a great YouTube video!

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by *13*

That would be a great YouTube video!

Hmmmm, maybe I can pull that one on RodKnock....

[cobrakiwi]

So any way, how does the engine run now?

[*13*]

Seems OK. We'll fnd out tomorrow. I got her buttoned up, retorqued & took her around the block a couple times. I plan to get out for a few miles in the morn.