|
|
|
|
Original Message
|
| Intake Manifold Gaskets Re-Visited |
| By John - 07/28/2002 1:04:58 PM; IP 142.177.97.215 |
I just read about a week ago or so in here, about Fel-Pro Intake Manifold Gaskets prone to leaking. Can anyone enlighten me again about this situation? I can do a search I suppose, but thought I might add some particulars as it could be of interest and it might get me a better answer.
Now before I start, please remember that I have re-built more engines than I can remember, from Japanese 4 cylinders to Chev and Ford small-blocks to Pontiac and FE big blocks, but the only problems I have EVER had is always with the FE. Here goes:
So...I want to build a 410. Gete a 428 IU crank already machined 20-20. Take it to be balanced. Turns out all the journals were machined with an unacceptable taper. Get it re-done to 30-30. Oh-oh...block is cracked at a frost plug. Get a new block. Have the machine work done and assemble the engine. After about 2000 miles, the engine is toast. Crack in the lifter valley area of the block appeared and anti-feeeze ate the bearings. Get a new block and turn the crank 40-40 (should have had it hard-chromed instead at that point...sigh). They magnaflux and machine the block. When the machinist removed the main bearing caps for line-honing, he noticed a pattern of filings around a main bearing threaded hole. Another cracked block. Finally got a decent block. Assembled the engine. Lower than normal oil pressure. Switched oil from 10W30 to 20W50. Slight improvement. Then...all of a sudden, a big improvement. Almost to what I expected. Oil pump bypass valve msut have been stuck. Unusual, but possible. Ran about 200 miles on engine in short trips. Everything fine. A few flecks in the oil filter, but nothing to bad for a fresh rebuild. Drove it to work and back last Friday About 100 miles round trip). Worked great. About 2 miles before home the temp gauge started to go down and the oil temp gauge went up, then the water temp finally went up. Filled the rad with water. Made it home OK. Checked everything the next day. Antifreeze is definately in the oil. The oil pressure is still the same, so I am going to try and change the intake manifold gaskets and flush the sump (maybe change the main bearings in the car...I hate doing that). Probably won't work with my luck. I know it's not the head gaskets, because there is no white smoke on start-up, or any other time for that matter. Just a bit of gray smoke (which has been there for a while)when I step on it, which is most likely from my 2-hole HS rocker shafts which I must do something about. These FE engines work great. I am happy with my cam choice and power. I love the way it works. I don't push it as I have a very light car and don't race it. But I sure can't get longevity out of the engine. I am too stubborn to give up, but I am getting dissapointed a lot. So.....anyone think that I just have an intake manifold gasket problem? Wishfull thinking I suspect......sigh. |
|
|
This thread, so far...
|
|
|
|
Post A Response
|
|
|
|
|
|