Fix the threads, run the Offy. Enjoy.
opened a small can of worms
I have alot of old crusty oil from my valve covers, on the intake manifold, down the transmission, over the timing chain cover, and all around the oil pan. (It came this way when i bought it)
I thought I might replace the intake manifold with an Offenhauser (that I bought really cheap) and address the oil leaks (valve covers, and maybe from the rear of the intake manifold ) then. But I was advised here on the forum to not use the Offy for cruising use (it's a single plane Port-O-Sonic). This is a budget car for occasional use. It's rough, but I do what I can when I can. I debated about putting a Performer manifold on, but if I change to Vortec heads (since this motor has unknown nmileage on it), then I might as well wait on the manifold until that time. So I decided to just do the valve cover gaskets for now.
I don't know where the previous owner got the engine from, but it was completely painted in Blue paint, including the intake manifold and bolt heads. Anyway, I pull the valve covers off (which had loose bolts on the driver' side- no surprise why it was leaking oil there!) and find orange and blue paint chips in the head. Maybe it flaked off the manifold when I pulled the valve cover off. Anyway, I put a new Napa cork gasket with some silicone in the cover.
Then I pulled off the passenger side, removing the smog pump bracket for clearance. There was orange paint chips in this head. and some gritty sludge. Oh, and they are 462624 heads. Anyway, I carefully lifted the chips out and noticed also on the rear of the head casting, there is a big gouge out of where the gasket is supposed to seal.
No surprise why the oil is leaking on that side too!! (good reason to get the Vortecs now) So I dab some permatex on there and put a new gasket on that side too.
Anyway, when I get around to putting the water pump and intake manifold bolts back (from the smog bracket removal), one of the intake manifold bolt thread in the head is buggered and so now I HAVE to pull the manifold to chase the threads to reinstall.
Advice? Money IS an object, otherwise I'd order the Vortecs, new manifold, new valve covers, and be happy (but extremely broke).
I thought I might replace the intake manifold with an Offenhauser (that I bought really cheap) and address the oil leaks (valve covers, and maybe from the rear of the intake manifold ) then. But I was advised here on the forum to not use the Offy for cruising use (it's a single plane Port-O-Sonic). This is a budget car for occasional use. It's rough, but I do what I can when I can. I debated about putting a Performer manifold on, but if I change to Vortec heads (since this motor has unknown nmileage on it), then I might as well wait on the manifold until that time. So I decided to just do the valve cover gaskets for now.
I don't know where the previous owner got the engine from, but it was completely painted in Blue paint, including the intake manifold and bolt heads. Anyway, I pull the valve covers off (which had loose bolts on the driver' side- no surprise why it was leaking oil there!) and find orange and blue paint chips in the head. Maybe it flaked off the manifold when I pulled the valve cover off. Anyway, I put a new Napa cork gasket with some silicone in the cover.
Then I pulled off the passenger side, removing the smog pump bracket for clearance. There was orange paint chips in this head. and some gritty sludge. Oh, and they are 462624 heads. Anyway, I carefully lifted the chips out and noticed also on the rear of the head casting, there is a big gouge out of where the gasket is supposed to seal.
No surprise why the oil is leaking on that side too!! (good reason to get the Vortecs now) So I dab some permatex on there and put a new gasket on that side too.Anyway, when I get around to putting the water pump and intake manifold bolts back (from the smog bracket removal), one of the intake manifold bolt thread in the head is buggered and so now I HAVE to pull the manifold to chase the threads to reinstall.
Advice? Money IS an object, otherwise I'd order the Vortecs, new manifold, new valve covers, and be happy (but extremely broke).
