Brother-in-law was asking for some help on re-sealing an engine in his Camaro … and it hit me, it’s been 10yrs since I’ve actually had an engine apart. I remember most of the basics, but what are some other tips out there.
Motor was just re-sealed, and he’s found coolant in his oil. Engine is a SBC in a ’68. We’re going to pull the motor, and put on a stand.
I guess before we pull the motor, what would be the best way to tell where the leak occurred. I’m assuming probably an intake gasket, but I’d like to avoid removing the head gasket. Just don’t like taking a head off, if it’s not needed.
We’re going to start with the oil pan gasket … no coolant down here, but it leaks in the corners. In general if I remember right, there’s a gasket that wraps around the timing cover, along the side rails, and then a second rope gasket that goes into a groove in the thrust bearing. Basics here are just to make sure the timing cover and oil pan are flat, put a dab of silicon on the four corners, and then install the gaskets. Is there much else there? Probable stick with Fel-Pro’s all the way around.
I want to check his galley plugs also. I don’t think they go into any coolant passages, but he wasn’t for sure they were installed. In reality, they probably were never removed … no big deal.
Anyhow, then on top of the engine.
Assuming I have to replace a head gasket … what the best method on those. Seems like I scraped everything with a gasket scraper, but I used to use scrotch-brites after that. Recent conversations sound like I shouldn’t use abrasives? Put new head gaskets on dowel pins, then the heads, then just torque to spec. Don’t remember it being much more involved than that?
Intake gasket I think was what 4pc, and everyone threw out the front/rear pieces. I remember always using all 4pcs myself, but making sure I had a good amount of silicon on the 4 corners. What do you guys still throw out the front/rear, and fill it full of silicon too?
Then as far as valve covers … quite honestly, I don’t think I ever did get one that wouldn’t leak. What’s the story there, how do you make a valve cover gasket not leak?
Oh well, figured I’d ask for a basics to engine re-sealing. I’d really like to see him get his car back on the road, but with antifreeze in the oil he hasn’t driven it in about a year.
Thanks, Neal
Motor was just re-sealed, and he’s found coolant in his oil. Engine is a SBC in a ’68. We’re going to pull the motor, and put on a stand.
I guess before we pull the motor, what would be the best way to tell where the leak occurred. I’m assuming probably an intake gasket, but I’d like to avoid removing the head gasket. Just don’t like taking a head off, if it’s not needed.
We’re going to start with the oil pan gasket … no coolant down here, but it leaks in the corners. In general if I remember right, there’s a gasket that wraps around the timing cover, along the side rails, and then a second rope gasket that goes into a groove in the thrust bearing. Basics here are just to make sure the timing cover and oil pan are flat, put a dab of silicon on the four corners, and then install the gaskets. Is there much else there? Probable stick with Fel-Pro’s all the way around.
I want to check his galley plugs also. I don’t think they go into any coolant passages, but he wasn’t for sure they were installed. In reality, they probably were never removed … no big deal.
Anyhow, then on top of the engine.
Assuming I have to replace a head gasket … what the best method on those. Seems like I scraped everything with a gasket scraper, but I used to use scrotch-brites after that. Recent conversations sound like I shouldn’t use abrasives? Put new head gaskets on dowel pins, then the heads, then just torque to spec. Don’t remember it being much more involved than that?
Intake gasket I think was what 4pc, and everyone threw out the front/rear pieces. I remember always using all 4pcs myself, but making sure I had a good amount of silicon on the 4 corners. What do you guys still throw out the front/rear, and fill it full of silicon too?
Then as far as valve covers … quite honestly, I don’t think I ever did get one that wouldn’t leak. What’s the story there, how do you make a valve cover gasket not leak?
Oh well, figured I’d ask for a basics to engine re-sealing. I’d really like to see him get his car back on the road, but with antifreeze in the oil he hasn’t driven it in about a year.
Thanks, Neal