Hey everyone

We've just had our 455ci engine rebuilt and we have a few small issues.

It has had edelbrock alloy heads put on and arp studs (Not sure on the head gasket or material used). There seems to be a small amount of coolant weeping from the lower ARP head studs.

From what I can tell, the head stud holes don't go into any water jackets. Can anyone confirm this?

Could it be possible that the head gasket isn't sealing properly?

Thanks

 

None of the head bolts go into the cooling jacket, so it's a head gasket issue. Could be a bad gasket, could be a warped head, could be a gouge or other issue on the sealing surface, etc, etc. Good luck. That's a nice looking car.

 

What Joe said! That is a very nice car.

 

Thanks guys!

Can you give any advice on the type of gaskets that should be used, and what type of coating? Hylomar or copper spray etc?

And thanks for the kind words about the car

 

You might try retorqing them first, it just m.ight cure itself

 

THat was another option I am exploring. The guy that did the heads wasn't very smart about it.

It has ARP studs and he hasn't used the lube on the washer, nut or thread, so when tightening the friction on the washer and nut would have triggered the torque wrench before the stud was at the recommended torque.

Hopefully tomorrow I will do the right bank and see if it fixes it.

Thanks again for the advice, it is always appreciated.

 

Okay, Right hand side all sealed and torqued down again properly this time. Hopefuly this is enough to stop the coolant leaking.

While on the subject, can anyone recommend good head gaskets to use if we go that far?

Thanks

 

I've had best luck with the FelPro blue gaskets, but the thicker compressed height will cost you up to half a point in CR. I have no experience with Cometic but they are highly recommended by others.

 

this is real old school detroit o ring head gaskets or cometic. i used spray copper on mine for sealing and have had no problems.

 

I have correctly tightened the bolts and no leaks so far. Hopefully this is the end of it. Thanks for all of your help.

 

Glad it all worked out.