[gibbons]

My zz502 has about 800 miles on it, and I am still seeing leaks coming down the sides of the motor after re-torquing the aluminum heads. Time to explore. The motor uses $90 each composite gaskets. Is it OK to reuse them (if it wasn't them causing the leak), or should I just bite the $180 what-if bullet? It's one of these gaskets.

Would that motor use "dry" intake gaskets, such that I don't have to clean off a mess from the original gaskets, and then smear Permatex all over the place to reinstall? Those will get replaced for sure.

By the way, how much does a BB aluminum head weigh? I remember about killing my back putting my iron heads back on my 468.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Camaro_fever68]

Can't reuse the gaskets. Asking for trouble. They are dry gaskets and should come off in one piece without any mess. Compared to the iron heads, the aluminum are feather weights. Be careful you don't smash your hands on the hood when you jerk them up.

Those gaskets don't usually leak but anything is possible.

 

[coldog]

Check the back of the inlet manifold. I had one leaking oil there, It ran across the back of the manifold/block parting line and then down the side of the block at the rear where the head bolts on. I thought I had a leaking head gasket also.

ps. Dont reuse your head gaskets.

 

[Malibu ss 64]

Oil or coolant? If oil I doubt it is the head gaskets, but anything is possible? Sure its not from the valvecovers? I would let the heads sit if I werent 100% sure the gaskets are leaking.

Marcus

 

[jmartorana]

Gibbons... if you need to buy the gaskets go to Rockauto.com it is half the price... go to part number search and type in 17048

Joe

 

[Rokker]

I use these,
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FEL-1047/

 

[MICHEV]

Cometics??? They can be re used,take the apart carefully and clean them then put a thn coat ofsealer between them and around the coolant passages on the deck of the block and the head.

 

[jmartorana]

The Felpro 17048 is the gasket that is used by GMPP. I have used it many times without issue. Gib just outta couriosity are you using the "right stuff" on the china wall without the rubber gasket?

I'd be really surprised if you have an oil leak from the head gasket so I wouldnt jump right into pulling them.

 

[Tom Mobley]

need to do a fluorescent dye inspection. put it in the oil and see if it's really oil you're finding. if it doesn't show up use the stuff in the water, see if it shows up. or vice-versa, just not both.

I certainly wouldn't be pulling the heads until I knew for sure.

 

[Wolfplace]

No you do not want to reuse them
Felpro 1047 & 17048 are the same gasket & half the price

That said as stated above the oil leak is 99% not coming from anything to do with the head gasket
The only place they may leak oil is up in the valley area along the thin wall that goes up to the china wall but this is rare

Almost without exception every "head gasket" oil leak I have seen has been the valve covers or the bottom of the intake & or corners of the intake where the head gasket ends