Looks like I'm pulling heads, again!! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**swervin ervin** · 10-04-2003, 05:54 PM

Well, about 10 months ago I get a wild hair to increase my compression a tad, about half a point. I read up on different gaskets I could use. After much ado, I decided to go with some Felpro, 1094 steel shim, .015" thickness. I have aluminum heads and talked to several different people who said they would be fine. You could feel the increase in power for sure.

Anyway, for the last couple months I noticed I was having to add water every once in a while. I checked everything and couldn't find any leaks. I figured something was amiss somewhere. No water in the oil or any leaks. I sort of put it by the way side.

Yesterday, I noticed something leaking at the back of the engine. I decided to change my oil today. While under the truck, I investigated the water problem to see if I could find where it may be going. I also wanted to see what the leak was I seen. Well, right above the oil filter, on the block, it was steam cleaned, down to the metal. Looks like the head gaskets are leaking at the drivers side back corner. So much for the steel shim gaskets.

I ordered a set of Felpro 1003 composition head gaskets and a set of Felpro 1256 intake gaskets from Summit.

It sure sucks having to pull the heads again. I'm going to loose the increase in compression, but it will gain me more reliabilty. But with my mindset right now, I can't stand the thoughts of pulling the heads off. Oh well, things could have been worse I guess.

**old Rusty C10** · 10-04-2003, 06:53 PM

lol before long youll dream of doin the job in your sleep! dont worry it gets easier the more times ya do it til ya break a bolt in the motor lol

*mike reeh* · 10-04-2003, 10:18 PM

are you sure about the deck and the heads being flat? Also did you use any sealant on the steel shim gasket before you installed it? lastly what did you torque the heads to and did you ever re-torque?

just a couple of things that were on my mind.. fwiw, im not trying to point out any sort of error, just curious for my own personal knowledge

mike

Prerunner1982 · 10-04-2003, 10:59 PM

atleast our trucks are fairly easy to pull heads on, had to pull the head on an 90+ escort.... yeah talk about PITA!

**swervin ervin** · 10-05-2003, 12:19 AM

Mike,

these gaskets have a sealant made on them, so you don't have to use any other sealant. As far as the surfaces being flat, who knows. It was on the Goodwrench 350 with very few miles. Never retorqued them either. I'm thinking the surfaces weren't straight enough for steel shims. I'm also thinking the biggest cause of failure is aluminum heads and cast iron block don't work well with these gaskets, no matter what anyone told me. For as many who said they would be fine, as many said they wouldn't. I believed the ones who said they would. It has something to do with the different heating and cooling cycles of aluminum and cast iron that causes problems. I'm getting too old to be worrying about this crap. I'm going back with composition gaskets and forget about it.

*mike reeh* · 10-05-2003, 12:47 AM

interesting. Why dont you have the heads shaved while they're off, about the difference in thickness of the steel vs. comp. gaskets? you could kill 2 bird with one stone that way..

mike

79BIG10 · 10-05-2003, 11:08 AM

Good idea Mike R.

Also Swervin order some ARP head studs if you haven't already. This will be more reliable as well.

**swervin ervin** · 10-05-2003, 12:50 PM

The reason I don't have them shaved is they are 64cc heads. My plan, someday, is too build a engine. I plan on flat top pistons for a CR of around 10 to 1. If I shave the heads it will mess up these plans. The GM Goodwrench 350 has some terrible dished pistons in it. That's the plan anyway.

Studs are nice, but I think I'll wait on any of this stuff when/if I build a new engine.

*1FaastC10* · 10-05-2003, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by swervin ervin
Studs are nice, but I think I'll wait on any of this stuff when/if I build a new engine.

IMO, you shoul install the studs before you do any damage to the threads in the block. since the shortblock isnt going to be disassembled, i'd say its safe to assume you're not going to run a thread cleaning tap though the holes. install em now for cheap insurance.

*rage'nrat638* · 10-05-2003, 06:13 PM

JUST A THOUGHT......................

when i built my rat...with alum heads....my engine guy told me to add some BARR'S STOP LEAK...TABLETS.........
to the rad. before i even start it.....

i was like what

he told me that alum. heads leak......

SO I DID IT......NO LEAKING.....

*1FaastC10* · 10-05-2003, 06:42 PM

all GM motors from the factory use a GM version of stop leak. looks almost like sawdust tablets, you might try that and see if it stops.

**swervin ervin** · 10-05-2003, 06:45 PM

Not going to install studs. Already ordered the gaskets so it will be fixed in a week or so. Aluminum heads don't leak normally any worse than iron heads, as long as you use the right gaskets and don't try to use one not made for the application. This is what I did.

10-04-2003, 05:54 PM	#1
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Looks like I'm pulling heads, again!! Well, about 10 months ago I get a wild hair to increase my compression a tad, about half a point. I read up on different gaskets I could use. After much ado, I decided to go with some Felpro, 1094 steel shim, .015" thickness. I have aluminum heads and talked to several different people who said they would be fine. You could feel the increase in power for sure. Anyway, for the last couple months I noticed I was having to add water every once in a while. I checked everything and couldn't find any leaks. I figured something was amiss somewhere. No water in the oil or any leaks. I sort of put it by the way side. Yesterday, I noticed something leaking at the back of the engine. I decided to change my oil today. While under the truck, I investigated the water problem to see if I could find where it may be going. I also wanted to see what the leak was I seen. Well, right above the oil filter, on the block, it was steam cleaned, down to the metal. Looks like the head gaskets are leaking at the drivers side back corner. So much for the steel shim gaskets. I ordered a set of Felpro 1003 composition head gaskets and a set of Felpro 1256 intake gaskets from Summit. It sure sucks having to pull the heads again. I'm going to loose the increase in compression, but it will gain me more reliabilty. But with my mindset right now, I can't stand the thoughts of pulling the heads off. Oh well, things could have been worse I guess. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

10-04-2003, 06:53 PM	#2
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,313	lol before long youll dream of doin the job in your sleep! dont worry it gets easier the more times ya do it til ya break a bolt in the motor lol __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

10-04-2003, 10:59 PM	#4
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	atleast our trucks are fairly easy to pull heads on, had to pull the head on an 90+ escort.... yeah talk about PITA! __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

10-05-2003, 11:08 AM	#7
79BIG10 I'm back with 2nd truck! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 3,774	Good idea Mike R. Also Swervin order some ARP head studs if you haven't already. This will be more reliable as well. __________________ 1979 Chevrolet Bonanza Big10 "Tootsie Roll" 1985 Chevrolet Silverado (wife's) Member of the Southern Bowties Club "Don't underestimate how sexy a fat man who drinks to excess can be." Homer Simpson

10-05-2003, 12:50 PM	#8
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	The reason I don't have them shaved is they are 64cc heads. My plan, someday, is too build a engine. I plan on flat top pistons for a CR of around 10 to 1. If I shave the heads it will mess up these plans. The GM Goodwrench 350 has some terrible dished pistons in it. That's the plan anyway. Studs are nice, but I think I'll wait on any of this stuff when/if I build a new engine. __________________ Mike 1985 Chevy C-10

10-04-2003, 10:18 PM	#3
mike reeh 5 day ban, learn to behave. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: san diego, ca Posts: 683	are you sure about the deck and the heads being flat? Also did you use any sealant on the steel shim gasket before you installed it? lastly what did you torque the heads to and did you ever re-torque? just a couple of things that were on my mind.. fwiw, im not trying to point out any sort of error, just curious for my own personal knowledge mike

10-05-2003, 12:19 AM	#5
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Mike, these gaskets have a sealant made on them, so you don't have to use any other sealant. As far as the surfaces being flat, who knows. It was on the Goodwrench 350 with very few miles. Never retorqued them either. I'm thinking the surfaces weren't straight enough for steel shims. I'm also thinking the biggest cause of failure is aluminum heads and cast iron block don't work well with these gaskets, no matter what anyone told me. For as many who said they would be fine, as many said they wouldn't. I believed the ones who said they would. It has something to do with the different heating and cooling cycles of aluminum and cast iron that causes problems. I'm getting too old to be worrying about this crap. I'm going back with composition gaskets and forget about it.

10-05-2003, 12:47 AM	#6
mike reeh 5 day ban, learn to behave. Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: san diego, ca Posts: 683	interesting. Why dont you have the heads shaved while they're off, about the difference in thickness of the steel vs. comp. gaskets? you could kill 2 bird with one stone that way.. mike

10-05-2003, 06:13 PM	#10
rage'nrat638 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: THE FALL GUY CHICAGO IL Posts: 5,883	HOLD ON SWERVING JUST A THOUGHT...................... when i built my rat...with alum heads....my engine guy told me to add some BARR'S STOP LEAK...TABLETS......... to the rad. before i even start it..... i was like what he told me that alum. heads leak...... SO I DID IT......NO LEAKING.....

10-05-2003, 06:42 PM	#11
1FaastC10 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 6,399	all GM motors from the factory use a GM version of stop leak. looks almost like sawdust tablets, you might try that and see if it stops.

10-05-2003, 06:45 PM	#12
swervin ervin You get what you pay for Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Cherryville, NC Posts: 4,798	Not going to install studs. Already ordered the gaskets so it will be fixed in a week or so. Aluminum heads don't leak normally any worse than iron heads, as long as you use the right gaskets and don't try to use one not made for the application. This is what I did.

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