Perpetual valve cover leaks...

[clayfoushee]

Originally Posted by Burnd

Remod:
I hear ya.... I hate conflicting opinions too. I'd probably do the same thing you're doing. (If I "can't" get MY way to work; I'll do it THEIR way). I was laughing when I typed it because I KNOW how you feel. I was giving Keith Craft a hard time when two other motorheads were disagreeing with him. However; on another note that would REALLY pith me off is the picture of Clayfoushee's heads. He's not circling the stud. He's highlighting the "offset" mate between the head and the intake manifold. That gap is a leak just begging to spew oil. Craft and I had a huge fight with Edelbrock over that crap. That's lousy, crummy, sloppy Edelbrock machining and quality. Their response to it was; it fit's "within" their specs (NOT Fords). The gap in mine was .060 high in the back of the drivers side head and flush in the front. It was the opposite on the passenger's side head. I ripped those heads off and put stock heads on as a trial and they "flush" mated, front and back, both sides. Craft flew up and brought me another set of stage 2 heads and we had the same issues. He had a whole "lot" that came to him that way. He wasn't a happy camper either. With Keith in our shop; we "shaved" them on the manifold surface and they flushed out for a perfect mate. If you have that mis-mate; then you have to fill that gap. Clayfoushee is right. It's a weak link and hit or miss on leaking. Any excessive crankcase pressure and it's just waiting to blow out and dump oil on the headers. If you shave and flush it out it won't leak at all. I've been to that movie too. I would also suggest putting a little squirt of silicon in the bottom of the front and back manifold bolt holes plus a little on the bolt threads if you have Edelbrock heads. The bottom of those holes are a RCH from breaking into the water jackets (or in most Edlebrocks,) already have broken into the water jackets. I hope you get it worked out. Cause I HATE leaks too. Believe me when I tell you: my frame will "NEVER" rust. It's well oiled.

Bernie

Just for the record, that was not my engine, but I do have a similar gap at that point on my Edelbrock heads and intake manifold. I copied a picture from Jdog, and circled the gap that is a common leak point, given their widespread use. A dab of RTV generally takes care of the problem.

[Power Surge]

Originally Posted by clayfoushee

Just for the record, that was not my engine, but I do have a similar gap at that point on my Edelbrock heads and intake manifold. I copied a picture from Jdog, and circled the gap that is a common leak point, given their widespread use. A dab of RTV generally takes care of the problem.

The original poster has a Windsor motor, not an FE. But you're on the money for the FE, you gotta dab the schmoo on the breakpoint.

[Burnd]

Originally Posted by clayfoushee

Just for the record, that was not my engine, but I do have a similar gap at that point on my Edelbrock heads and intake manifold. I copied a picture from Jdog, and circled the gap that is a common leak point, given their widespread use. A dab of RTV generally takes care of the problem.

Clay:
Please don't think I was criticizing that motor (even though it's not yours). When I saw that picture of the offset mate between the manifold face and head like so many Edelbrocks have; it really, REALLY gets under my skin. I have the same pictures of mine (before and after I had to re-machine them) and I wanted to ram them down Edelbrock' managements throats. When you pay the kind of money we pay, to have an aftermarket head configured, assembled and ported properly; it better fit, and fit "right". Instead WE the users wind up stuffing hours, nights and weekends into troubleshooting and correcting their sloppy workmanship because it ain't right (and LEAKS). The factory parts fit right; Edelbrocks DON'T. Pretty sad when they can't even make a copy right. It will work; but it ain't right and given one iota of chance, it can and will "cause" a leak. The FE valve cover design does not have enough bolts as it it, and that mismatch adds to the potential "leak equation". Man, I can't tell you how much I HATE leaks. I could write a thesis and get awarded a Ph.D. in leakage. The runoff from my driveway looked like the Valdez oil spill when it rained. A floating, spiraling stream of oil, antifreeze, gas and brake, trans and rear end fluids have all managed to intermittently eat craters into my prize, new 52 tons of compressed asphalt driveway. And naturally nothing would leak at the same time. Nope...... these leaks chip away at ya.... like a nagging nag that just keeps barking. If that wheel barrel of mine didn't leak fluid, it would switch over and leak air, vacuum or fumes out of any potential orifice just to see how much leak stress I could take. I've considered taking a .50 Caliber to the parts on my car that leaked, just to make me feel better. I don't drink beer, just so I don't get reminded of leaks. My wife simaltaneously flushes the toilet so I can't hear her leaking..... the dog's afraid to take a leak when I'm home or I might get an itchy finger on his shock collar. I'm actually wondering if there is a "leak god" and I did sumpin wrong. I can't talk about leaks anymore but for future reference; I "AM" a leak EXPERT. Unfortunately, it's not by choice. I gotta get out of this "leak" focused thread and get a soothing glass of Pinot Noir before I have to check myself into leak therapy. Later........

Bernie

[Remod]

Hey Burnd,

I have a trans seal thats leaking too, can you help me out here ? Just get me through this one and I'll supply the razor blades and the booze! No charge to you. Sounds like a case for intervention!