Technical 283 problem

getting my 1942 chevy pickup back on the road after a major redo, my problem is I have a 283 in it with 601, 305 heads fired right up sounded great, shut of to run cam in, while pouring antifreece and water in, water poured out the drivers side between head and block, between the first 2 cylinders, can't understand how it just pours out, any help!!!!!!!!!!

 

Might you have missed one of the lower row of head bolts?

 

it's also common for the boss where the head bolt goes in, to crack. If there's no sealer on the bolt threads, it can leak.

But there are a few other possible causes, also...you're going to have to get in there and look where it's coming from Could be a defect in the head or block surface, or a problem with the gasket, or a crack in the block or head.

 

Gasket problem? It’s my understanding that 305 heads are known to be a little thin around the edges near the cylinder and water gallery. I have a 350 with 305 heads and have just done the cam break in. On a prior build I had water in the oil and thought that was the problem. On tear down I found the intake manifold gasket failed. So far so good this time. I wish you the best on your build.

 

Not mentioned yet but I think it would be evident. Temp sending unit issue or not there???

 

Were the block and heads surfaced? Parts magnafluxed? As long as nothing is cracked could be just the head gasket seal around the water jacket. Might want to pull some spark plugs, turn it over by hand and make sure there's no water in the cylinders before running it again.

 

temperature sender leaking or missing?

 

You sure its coming from the head? Check the freeze plugs, and there is a coolant drain on each side of the block, make sure they didn't wander off.

 

Or a poor job torqueing the head down?

 

thanks to all who have gotten back to me, the water is coming out where the head and block come together in the middle of the first and second pistons, I have taken it apart, the velpro gasket looked ok I can't see any visual cracks, I put a straight edge on both surfaces and a couple spots lower than where the water came out on the head I could get an .03 guage under it, but I would think the gasket would take care of that, I guess to the machine shop with the head and have it checked, I never saw water pour out like it did with no presure on it, and the outher side was ok, Tom

 

Thanks for the update, keep us posted on what else you find.

 

Were the dowel pins holding the head up.

 

.030 or .003?

 

.030 is a pretty healthy gap!

 

No head gasket in the world will seal a .030 gap!

 

That is what I thought!

@the hump what did you find out?

 

The velcro gasket is most likely the issue, depending on if the head or the block has the fuzzy side.

 

.003 for sure, sorry bout that

 

Maybe a healthy dose of old Indian Head Gasket Shellac!?
6sally6

 

Never had one that just leaked out like that. (had lots of 283's) Sounds like a gasket issue. Lay the gasket on the head, then the block. and check for water jacket hole lineup.
Those are later heads so a mismatch is possible ? Mismatch between the gasket, and either the block and/or head water jacket holes ?

OR
Not torqued correctly (fully) when head installed ?

Did the water run out when it was still cold, or did it not leak until it got hot? If it didn't leak until it got hot could have a crack in block or head.....or not torqued right. or warped head ?

OR
Could be that either the head or block need surfacing. (or both) But I would ***ume the shop you took the head to checked the head for surface straightness. ...and cracks.

 

we started the motor for a few minutes with out water, shut it off and put water in to break the cam in, never started it again because the water poured out, I am taking it and have it checked, will get back after its checked, I think I read that these heads are prone to cracks? Thanks again to all, Tom

 

over the years I've had two sets of heads that were machined badly, and leaked water when I filled the engine for the first time. It happens.