[RLM66SS]

So I finally started up my newly built 454. The Engine is a 1974 two bolt with block .030" over with Forged Crank, 18cc probe forged pistons, AFR 265 Heads Straub Hyd. Roller, Morels Roller Lifters and Rollmaster Gold chain set up. The Engine fired right up and made 60psi oil pressure that eventually dropped to 25 at hot idle 900 rpm with 5w30 oil but goes back up to 60 when reved. So I was a happy man until i noticed some oil starting to hit the floor. I seem to have it narrowed to the head gasket. The attached pic is of the machined pad just below the head that oil was litteraly flowing down. Even after turning off the engine you could see it run down it after a wipe with a rag... Anyone ever see this before? I am thinking about yanking the head off but just can't bring myself to do it....

 

[ratltrap]

Check the corners of the intake first. They are usually the culprit.

 

[Malibu ss 64]

Check intake corners and the china wall+valve covers before you do anything.

Marcus

 

[RLM66SS]

Yeah I looked it over and over. The amount of oil that was flowing should have been visible i would think if it were the intake corner. There is nothing running down the face of the engine near the intake / head corner. I would think it would. Valve cover was dry. I don't know what to think?

 

[Dave427]

No oil passes by a Head Gasket, its either a valve cover or the intake

Dave

 

[RLM66SS]

No oil passes by a Head Gasket, its either a valve cover or the intake

Dave

What about the drain back passages?

 

[Dave427]

That drains back to the intake

Dave

 

[CDN SS]

I agree intake or VC and oil drains back to the valley ......... long shot your fuel pump rod plug is not leaking or your dipstik tube ? your pic is of driver side so assume thats the side leaking if its more to rear then the china wall .

 

[RLM66SS]

That drains back to the intake

Dave

That is correct now that I think about it. But why cant I see oil running down the out face of the china walls? I would think some would run down. It must be following the gasket edge along the face of the head or something. I do know it is not the valve cover. I took it off and no oil was getting outside of the gasket.

 

[Dave427]

Yeah the oil likes to flow right down the face its hard to follow between the head and the block.

 

[RLM66SS]

Well I maybe try some dye and see if I can pin point it. Another issue I noticed is a noisy lifter or lifters on the same side. I used one full turn for preload on the morels. you can hear the lifters in the end of the attached video I made of it running today.

 

[Stokerboats]

What brand headgasket?

 

[RLM66SS]

What brand headgasket?

I really don't know the brand name. I got them from Chris Straub with the heads. They didn't have a name on them.

 

[ShouldntBeHere]

Morel lifters are pretty noisy, especially when cold.. Even during the summer, my lifters clatter like mad for the first 10-15 mins it's running... Has to get some heat in the oil before they get quiet. There is no uniformity to the clacking, it bounces from side to side/front to back...They are generally pretty quiet when hot, just the normal sewing machine sound. Very tolerable when at full temp.

I have had the preload set from 1/4 turn to 1 full turn, they always sound and act the same way. Been like that for 4 years and 13k miles..

Oh and your leak is definitely intake manifold/china wall/seaping up through the bolts. Keep looking, you'll find it.

 

[crazydavey]

I would bet intake Ron....it's amazing where oil will go but it's usually path of least resistance....get some brake cleaner on a rag and clean the back very good...then get the gray silicone out...load up the ol' finger and put a nice trail of it under the intake ledge along the china wall.....the lifters will need a good 200 miles before you can judge how much noise they are going to make....if you switched to aluminum roller rockers they will make noise too...:thumbsup:

 

[davis95]

Is the oil and coolant mixing one way or the other?

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

 

[RLM66SS]

No Water in the oil at all. I am running pure deionized water for first test run. did not want a coolant mess if I had problems. No water leakes at all.
I am running Crane aluminum rockers so they may be making some noise too i guess. If it weren't leaking oil I wouldn't be worried about the noise until I can run it on the street and get some miles on it.

P.S. it is the passenger side of the engine that is pictured.

 

[RLM66SS]

I would bet intake Ron....it's amazing where oil will go but it's usually path of least resistance....get some brake cleaner on a rag and clean the back very good...then get the gray silicone out...load up the ol' finger and put a nice trail of it under the intake ledge along the china wall.....the lifters will need a good 200 miles before you can judge how much noise they are going to make....if you switched to aluminum roller rockers they will make noise too...:thumbsup:

Are you suggesting I try and seal it up without removing the intake?
I never thought that could be done.
I guess I never said that it is on the front of the engine just below # 2 plug.

 

[StevenS]

I would bet intake Ron....it's amazing where oil will go but it's usually path of least resistance....get some brake cleaner on a rag and clean the back very good...then get the gray silicone out...load up the ol' finger and put a nice trail of it under the intake ledge along the china wall.....the lifters will need a good 200 miles before you can judge how much noise they are going to make....if you switched to aluminum roller rockers they will make noise too...:thumbsup:

I agree with Davey. I done this a few times. But its gray RTV not silicone

Ford has the best gray rtv

 

[crazydavey]

Are you suggesting I try and seal it up without removing the intake?
I never thought that could be done.
I guess I never said that it is on the front of the engine just below # 2 plug.

well removing the intake would be idea...yes I thought you were talking about the back and just trying to save you some time were it doesn't show....it's usually leaking at the corners...