I thought i had an oil leak from my valve cover so i changed the gasket but after i ran it a little i noticed oil still coming down the side of the engine. After closer inspection I notice little bubbles coming from the head gasket where it pokes out a little between the head and the block....I am suprised at this because the engine runs good and doesnt run hot nor is there oil in the water or water in the oil. I'm thinking i need to tourqe the head bolts, does anyone know how many ft lbs they need to be torqued to and in what sequence? thanks
Mark , Are they the original stock head gasket ? If they are the copper ones you might get lucky but I would say not . Just keep an eye on it and when it gets bad then it will need replaced . If it's not getting into the oil or using anti-freeze or oil then leave it alone . I wouldn't un torque any of the head bolts . That might just be enough to cause problems with the head gasket even more . You always start in the center of the head and work out to the end of the head in an "X" pattern . Do the center bolt first then the out side bolt then next in line to the front , then the next in line to the rear , then the front , then the rear till all the bolts have been torqued . When torquing a head you should alway do it in a 2 step method . This is what the repair manual states . The 223 is 45 ft/lbs on the first torque set , then 55 ft/lbs on the final set . Check the bolts first to see what the torque is . If they are all at 55 ft/lbs then try and ad another 5 ft/lbs and see if that will help any . I am not sure I would go to 65 . You might also have warp age problems of the head . Let me know how you make out . Jim
Thanks Jim, The reason I want to try and retouque them is that it is leaking oil from between the head and block. I thought it was the valve cover gasket but after changing it i found out it wasnt the valve cover that was leaking. I changed the oil about two weeks ago and after driving maybe 200 miles it has leaked 1-1/2 quarts from there So I figured I better do something about it now before it gets worse. If i retourqe them to 55lbs that shouldnt cause it to get worse should it? Thanks
Mark , that's a lot of oil ! You might have to replace the head gasket and pray the head isn't warped . If you do get a modern style head gasket and not the metal ones . That way if the head is warped some the thinker newer style head gasket might take up the space . Torquing 5 ft/lbs shouldn't make it worst . If anything it might help but if you are leaking that much oil I would say the head gasket should be replaced . If you have a set of hand tools and a torque wrench , you can do the job yourself . It's not really that bad to do . It's really not to bad . I can walk you through it if you need long distance help ! Jim
yeah I am thinking the same thing, I am going to tourqe them down and see what that does and if it doesnt help go ahead and have the head shaved or whatever and put a new gasket on it. The guy that sold me the car told me the engine had just been rebuilt before he bought it but after looking at how grimey the rockers are when i pulled the valve cover off I believe he was lied to about that.
Everytime you buy an old car the engines are always "rebuilt" and by rebuilt they mean they poured a bottle of bars leak into the motor the day before you bought it.
sircamspalot2 what engine do you have? My 55 Ford had a rebuilt 292 that developed a oil leak by the distributor. It looked like it was coming from between the head and the block. After I cleaned all the oil off I found that it was coming from a rear bolt hole in the head by intake that was not being used. I install a bolt in the hole and oil leak stopped. problem fixed. (6 mouths later pulled engine and replaced with 302/c4.)
riskybiz,Its a 223 I'm sure its coming from the head though because after running for a bit you can see little bubbles in the leaked oil right where the head and block meet. I just have to wait til i can rent a tourqe wrench to tourque the head down and see if that fixes the problem, if not im going to change the head gasket.
Go to any Advanced Auto and they lend out Specialty tools which that one is . Wish you lived closer ! I have 2 torque wrenches that I use . You might just want to go with 10 ft/lbs ! Not going to make any difference . Jim
I'd torque it to goodandtight right now and see what happens. Most likely going to have to pull the head anyway and change the gasket. Probably need the head shaved a couple thou too for flatness. Look at the block deck real close for any erosion or signs of oil or water to determine where it comes from.
Jim, they want $100 deposit at Autozone just to use one so i gotta wait til i get back in to use theirs and i will try going ten over on the torque also thx. Street dreams, I will look for that if i have to pull the head thx
You can buy a new 1/2" drive ratcheting torque wrench from Harbor Freight for $25,I have had one for over 3 years and it works fine.Headbolt torque on a 223 is 65-75 ft.lbs.
Thanks Jeff I appreciate that I will check on getting myself one from harbor freight we have one in town here I just didnt even think about going there. Thanks Jason, I will give you a call when I get back in, Sorry I couldnt come take a look at your cars today I have to leave out in a few minutes and needed the sleep before the long drive but am looking forward to checking them out.
F... that chinese **** ! Mark here is a link for al the specs and how to do it for your engine ! http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/411.cfm Jim
I know a lot of us would like to buy USA products but we have to look at the total picture,American construction workers will have jobs building Harbor Freight stores,American workers and truck drivers deliver the products to those stores in American trucks,and American workers have jobs in those stores with the economy the way it is would we rather see those folks unemployed and losing their homes to foreclosure? I sure wouldn't! I don't know if anyone listened to the Donald Trump speech at the Tea Party rally in Florida this last weekend,He pointed fingers at the people we have to blame for outsourcing give it a listen on the web,the Chinese are not to blame for this situation they grabbed an opportunity that was handed to them by GREEDY American CEO'S.NOW back to the group! we know the politics are for other forums out there so vent them there and contact your politicians who continue to sell us out.
in the past 2 months i've bought an electric impact wrench ($40),a set of impact sockets ($15), an angle grinder ($10), welding blanket ($15), and a multipurpose tool for house projects ($20) all from harbor freight and all the tools have gotten the job done with great results. check out this website to view EVERY coupon available and you can get some good deals and won't break the bank. http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=1276399
The inside track club coupons are usually the best ones. i know their power tools are junk but so are craftsman and black and decker power tools. in fact some of this stuff comes out of the same factory. nobody ever seems to question someone who buys Ryobi, hitachi, porter cable, and skill..all made overseas with ****py parts. it'll either last you 1 month or 10 years..take the gamble and if a cheap harbor freight tool breaks then you take it back and they'll replace it!
I don't buy much at HF especially electrical stuff. It seems like everytime I am there someone is trying to return a drill (or similar) because it quit working.
Hats off to ABC Nightly News! Dianne Sawyer started a new segment called "Made in America" that spotlights USA companies,check out the website and make comments there and see what you can stir up.
The Jalopy Journal
