question: tightening heads

bolmida · #1 (**permalink**) 01-14-2007, 07:04 PM

I have a 407 stoker based on a 351. Its fairly new and weeping a little oil around the edge of the heads. How should I go about tightening the heads? Is there anything I need? valve cover gaskets? thanks much peter

G.R. · #2 (**permalink**) 01-14-2007, 07:33 PM

Are the heads leaking oil or water? is your oil black or frothy brown looking? have you checked? do you notice oil traces from the bottom of the head down the block? or is it leaking from the bottom of the valve cover gaskets down the head?

If it is any leaking other than from the valve cover gaskets you may try re-torqing the heads (sometimes works,usually doesn't work). Then you are faced with pulling the top-end off, replace the head gaskets ,manifold and exhausts and put it all back together again.

bolmida · #3 (**permalink**) 01-14-2007, 08:19 PM

Leaking oil, black. It is leaking from both the head and around the valve covers.
Just enough to be dirty and a couple drops on the floor. Do I take the valve covers off and just start tightening the obvious bolts that hold down the heads?

767Jockey · #4 (**permalink**) 01-14-2007, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bolmida

Leaking oil, black. It is leaking from both the head and around the valve covers.
Just enough to be dirty and a couple drops on the floor. Do I take the valve covers off and just start tightening the obvious bolts that hold down the heads?

NO! The bolts have to be tightened to a specified torque, and just as importantly, in a specified sequence. Check out a good service manual for directions on how to do it. Do this improperly, and you will likely trash your heads, and possible even your block. Proceed with equal parts caution and knowledge. Good luck.

wtm442 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-14-2007, 08:30 PM

Do NOT retorque the heads. All of the oil is leaking past the valve cover. It just appears that some of it is coming out at other places.

Get a good set of valve cover gaskets. Make sure the covers are clean and the gasket surfaces are straight. Do not overtighten the valve covers - read the instructions.

Dennis Kelley · #6 (**permalink**) 01-14-2007, 08:48 PM

what warren said. retorque intake or valve covers never heads.

Woodz428 · #7 (**permalink**) 01-14-2007, 09:15 PM

Let me take a different position. I don't know about this specific case, but if you have aluminum heads and intake, I would suggest that they be re-torqued at regular maintenance intervals. The expansion and contraction of all that aluminum over time can create leaks and it is a pretty easy maintenance procedure. Not that this particular case is created by that, but the suggestion that they never be re-torqued is something I disagree with. They should, of course, be torqued in correct sequence.

bolmida · #8 (**permalink**) 01-15-2007, 04:44 AM

In the information that came with the engine, Southern Automotive, it said after 5000 miles I should tighten down the heads. I ll give them a call. thanks a lot.

Clois Harlan · #9 (**permalink**) 01-15-2007, 06:21 AM

Check your intake also. Get some mineral spirits and white rag then wipe around the front and back edge of your intake. Do the same around your valve covers. Then run your engine for awhile. Take a white t-shirt and wipe around the areas cleaned and I believe you will be able to find your leak.

Intake manifold torque is around 25-30 pounds of torque while your valve cover gaskets are 10-15 pounds of torque. If you don't know the sequence to tighten your intake or heads go online and print the sequence off.

Clois

bolmida · #10 (**permalink**) 01-16-2007, 05:19 PM

thanks-- anyone know where i can get the sequence to tighten the heads? thanks peter

wtm442 · #11 (**permalink**) 01-16-2007, 07:21 PM

http://www.fordracingparts.com/downl...0-R451R452.pdf

G.R. · #12 (**permalink**) 01-16-2007, 09:23 PM

Clean the oil off your engine first., then restart and run the car for a few miles. It may be that you only have valve cover gasket leakage?. or as fairly typical on s/b Fords a rear intake manifold leak that can flow oil all over the rear of the heads.

I'm no expert for darn sure but on every engine I've dealt with that leaked oil from the top-end 8 out of 10 times is was either the valve cover gaskets or the intake manifold gaskets.
Usually if I encountered a head gasket leak I ended up with coolant in my oil.
Not good

Wayne Maybury · #13 (**permalink**) 01-17-2007, 06:40 AM

As has already been stated a couple of times, first, check the valve cover gaskets, second, check the intake gaskets. Don't fool around with the heads until you are absolutely sure that is the problem. Clean up the oil with a rag and some solvent then run the engine a few minutes and observe where the oil is coming from.

I had a small oil leak at the lower rear corner of the valve cover gasket on the passenger side of my 351W. The bolts were not tight enough and the cover or the gasket had moved slightly. There was oil all over that head. I removed the cover, cleaned everything up, replaced the cover and gasket making sure that everything was aligned. No more problems.

Wayne