Head Gasket Leak question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

remist17 · 11-12-2010, 10:40 AM

I built a 383 stroker and assembled the engine. I am using vortex heads. I recently put coolant in the engine and pressure tested the system. A small leak formed on the lower section of the head by the #7 piston. Close to the outer water jacket hole. I have not started the engine. Do you think the gasket will seat itself if it warms up or do I need to pull the intake, exhaust and head? I was hoping not to have to repalce the gasket. Sidenote I did not use any rtv sealant on the headgasket. Motor was square decked and the heads are new.

Your help is appreciated

*78 Chevyrado* · 11-12-2010, 10:45 AM

Try retourqing the head bolts. did you put sealer on the bolts that go through to the water jackets? if not it would be fairly easy to pull out one bolt at a time and put sealer on them. Otherwise it will need to be pulled and redone. they wont seal up after its run a while, it will leak worse when it builds up pressure. when you put the head bolts in, were they dry? did they have any oil on them, you need some kind of lube on the threads and a drop under the heads to get good torque readings.

You did right to not use rtv on the gaskets, they should be put on dry unless the instructions specifically mention RTV.

remist17 · 11-12-2010, 11:53 AM

I used ARP bolts and the supplied ARP lube. Torqued them all per the ARP spec.
So I should loosen the bolts and then retorque? or just trorque them?

spudz · 11-12-2010, 12:29 PM

sounds like a bad gasket that may have been nicked or dented.. Id replace them if it was me on a new never ran motor.

Dru · 11-12-2010, 04:11 PM

Some of the head bolts go through to the water passages, they always get a dab of RTV, those will usually only leak at the bolt head if they are going to. But yeah its not going to seal itself by running, and it sounds like you have some money in the motor, so I wouldnt take any chances.

remist17 · 11-12-2010, 05:24 PM

So should I just retorque and try or pull and replace?

11-12-2010, 10:40 AM	#1
remist17 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: PA Posts: 406	Head Gasket Leak question I built a 383 stroker and assembled the engine. I am using vortex heads. I recently put coolant in the engine and pressure tested the system. A small leak formed on the lower section of the head by the #7 piston. Close to the outer water jacket hole. I have not started the engine. Do you think the gasket will seat itself if it warms up or do I need to pull the intake, exhaust and head? I was hoping not to have to repalce the gasket. Sidenote I did not use any rtv sealant on the headgasket. Motor was square decked and the heads are new. Your help is appreciated __________________ 2013 Chevy Silverado, Z71, 5.3L, 4 door 2005 Chevy Silverado, Z71, 5.3L, 4 door, 3.40 Support the Troops.

11-12-2010, 10:45 AM	#2
78 Chevyrado Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Unnapreciative, Trollville Posts: 2,079	Re: Head Gasket Leak question Try retourqing the head bolts. did you put sealer on the bolts that go through to the water jackets? if not it would be fairly easy to pull out one bolt at a time and put sealer on them. Otherwise it will need to be pulled and redone. they wont seal up after its run a while, it will leak worse when it builds up pressure. when you put the head bolts in, were they dry? did they have any oil on them, you need some kind of lube on the threads and a drop under the heads to get good torque readings. You did right to not use rtv on the gaskets, they should be put on dry unless the instructions specifically mention RTV. Last edited by 78 Chevyrado; 11-12-2010 at 10:46 AM.

11-12-2010, 11:53 AM	#3
remist17 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: PA Posts: 406	Re: Head Gasket Leak question I used ARP bolts and the supplied ARP lube. Torqued them all per the ARP spec. So I should loosen the bolts and then retorque? or just trorque them? __________________ 2013 Chevy Silverado, Z71, 5.3L, 4 door 2005 Chevy Silverado, Z71, 5.3L, 4 door, 3.40 Support the Troops.

11-12-2010, 12:29 PM	#4
spudz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Branchville SC Posts: 1,647	Re: Head Gasket Leak question sounds like a bad gasket that may have been nicked or dented.. Id replace them if it was me on a new never ran motor. __________________ 2004 z71, 96 z71 on 38s, 88 Chevy k5 blazer, 4in lift. 84 swb project, 82 SWB project , 84 chevy 4x4 lwb project, 88 Jimmy beater/highschool ride. 79 c30. 99 tahoe 4x4 project. and a bunch of parts trucks..

11-12-2010, 04:11 PM	#5
Dru Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Wichita, Ks. Posts: 89	Re: Head Gasket Leak question Some of the head bolts go through to the water passages, they always get a dab of RTV, those will usually only leak at the bolt head if they are going to. But yeah its not going to seal itself by running, and it sounds like you have some money in the motor, so I wouldnt take any chances.

11-12-2010, 05:24 PM	#6
remist17 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: PA Posts: 406	Re: Head Gasket Leak question So should I just retorque and try or pull and replace? __________________ 2013 Chevy Silverado, Z71, 5.3L, 4 door 2005 Chevy Silverado, Z71, 5.3L, 4 door, 3.40 Support the Troops.



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