yet another oil leak question...


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By texasmark1 - 16 Years Ago
recently rebuilt and initially started up 272...

now I have a small water leak at the bottom edge of the head where it mates with the block between cylinders 6 & 7 and just today have noticed an oil leak on the bottom edge of the same head at cylinder 8...

retorqued this head after initial start up to recommended specs per my 57 manual...

please don't tell me I have a warped head...!  tell me I have an easy fix in store!!

ok, let me have the truth, whatever it is... I'm ready to DRIVE this thing!

HELP! and thanks, Mark

By charliemccraney - 16 Years Ago
Were the heads and block surfaced? Steel or composite head gaskets?
By simplyconnected - 16 Years Ago
texasmark1 (4/19/2009)
...retorqued this head after initial start up to recommended specs per my 57 manual...

Lots of questions, here.  You are aware you have two different size head bolts on top, right?  A stripped thread or short bolt fastening the end of your head will certainly cause your head gasket to let go.  So will a piece of junk between your head and block.

I would take the head off and check the block deck and head surfaces with a large fine flat file.  If there are any obstructions, high or low spots, or edge peens (like from separating the head with a screwdriver and a hammer), the file will find it.  It doesn't take much to prevent a good seal.  From here, I can't tell if your head is warped.  Did you overheat it, or do you have cause to think it is warped?  Tell us more.  Hope this helps.  - Dave

By Hoosier Hurricane - 16 Years Ago
Mark:

I just fixed an oil leaking head gasket on my '56 Bird.  It was an engine that I did not assemble.  When I pulled the head I found the head bolts mixed up.  As Dave said, the upper row of bolts are two different lengths, but only different by about 1/4 inch.  The complete set (both sides) will have 4 long ones and six short ones.  The long ones go on the ends of the heads where the alignment bushings are.  If a long bolt gets into a short hole, it will bottom out and not clamp the gasket.  Try pulling the upper row of bolts out and checking the lengths, if they are incorrect, correct them and re-torque the head.  It may stop the leaks and you can avoid pulling the head.

By Ted - 16 Years Ago
Providing the head bolts are correctly installed, then here’s another option regarding the coolant leak.  The early 272 heads do not have blind holes for the intake manifold studs and as such, requires some thread sealer on the stud threads where they go into the heads.  Coolant will tend to seep from non-sealed threads and travel along the side of the valley cover side of the head and to the rear where it looks like a head gasket leaking.  A pressure tester on the cooling system while looking specifically in the area of the studs helps to spots these types of leaks easier.  Hope this helps.
By texasmark1 - 16 Years Ago
muchas gracias as we say here in S Texas... good ideas all...

I was careful with the diff length head bolts, so believe they are all correct...

did not do the long straight edge to check for flat surfaces at the time, but may need that done...

will check out the other ideas and report back...

again, thanks!

Mark