Its not good news. About the middle of September, I did put on the head for the Fourth time. I went through all of the manual steps, and used the advice of those who have done it before me. I got the car filled with oil, cooling fluids, etc. Took a bit of manipulation with regard to the distributor's static timing, but I got it to fire. During the idle period, I wanted to get excited, I wanted to hop around and feel proud of myself. But having been at this point before, I just decided to keep a level head and carefully evaluate the exhaust and monitor the oil.
In about 30 seconds I started to get wispy exhaust. The kind of exhaust that happens when there is excess moisture in the combustion chamber. Not good. So with heavy hands, I checked the oil via the dipstick. Sure enough I recognized the oil combining with water. Being that I don't regularly swear, I find it offensive, I'll type with some colorful characters. My words went something like this:
"F*k me to Tears!"
Got that one from dad years ago. I digress. I shut her down, closed the garage door and wanted nothing more to do with her that day.
About a week later, I started the disassebly, AGAIN! Gee, I think I hear the echo of my young daughter telling me, "Dada, again..."
The color of money and oil
That is what it looked like when I took the cam box off the head. Without question you can see the green antifreeze mixing with the oil. Recall that the car had only idled for about a minute. It is weird that I got this amount of antifreeze in. I know that at this point your mind is whirling about the cause.
So to review, here is what was done in preparation for a successful rebuild.
Head was planed flat, and a valve job was completed.
Block surface was thoroughly cleaned and checked for flat.
A new FelPro Racing Gasket was used. (the gasket is the right one)
The torque process was followed to the letter.
Torque was stopped at 70 Ft/lbs.
The thermo housing opening was checked to insure that the EGR port was covered.
The head's manifold ports were checked to insure they were closed.
Correctly designed FelPro
Now, here are my potential problems
The block was found to be .006 out of true between cylinders 2 and 3.
The head bolts could be generating a false torque.
I could have faulty Hex head plugs in the head.
The locating dowels could be too big.
Hex head plugs could be an issue
Current status
The head was reinstalled with out the washers, I absolutely have outruled the head bolts creating a problem. The head is going to be pressure tested to insure that it is free of micro fissures or other unforeseen issues.
So, that is all the time I have for today. As I was telling the guys on XANA, thanks for not giving up on me.
Best,
E
