IH to head; Gasket Failure

[LGAFF]

Changing the alternator on my 92 I noticed that the oil catch can was milky. looked in the plenum, milky oil.

I checked the oil in the pan, no issues, checked the coolant, no issues

When I took IH off the head the gaskets were badly distorted and you could see were OIL and Coolant were mixing

[LGAFF]

There were NOT Jerrys gaskets

They had been on the car since I did the original porting some time ago

[LGAFF]

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q115/lgaff/DSCN5174.jpg (http://s134.photobucket.com/user/lgaff/media/DSCN5174.jpg.html)

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Ouch....that's ugly. Lee, do you know the manufacturer of the gasket. Might help to prevent anyone else from having the same fate.

[LGAFF]

I do know who made them, going to let them know the issue, they do some good stuff generally. Will see if they will switch material; I generally use Jerrys, those tend to be the best.


Stick with Jerrys:)

[Blue Flame Restorations]

nough said.......

[XfireZ51]

Looks like mine when I uses FO gaskets. I use a Permatex 2 around that area now. No more problems.

[scottfab]

Were all the bolts tight?

[XfireZ51]

Were all the bolts tight?

When you port the top end, the material between the coolant and the #3 or 4 primary runner is very small. The coolant seeps thru the the gasket pulled by the vacuum. So paper gaskets don't cut it. And thicker is not better. The Permatex or shellac works well.


Update: I meant to write #3 or #4 not 5 primary runners

[LGAFF]

Everything was tight....I had installed these prior to Dominics failure....must have been 3-4 years ago.

[Paul Workman]

Make that X2 with those gaskets...

Right after Dominic had post-porting gasket issues, so did I; same maker. I switched to Jerry's gaskets and used that same Permatex 2 smeared around the coolant hole on both sides of the gasket...No more problems!

You can just see the coolant seeping into the intake runner in this photo, following porting the top end. I don't think it would hurt to leave a mm or two of metal cresting the coolant port when porting in that region. Just a thought.

http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x220/6PPC_bucket/tech%20files/ZR-1007.jpg (http://s185.photobucket.com/user/6PPC_bucket/media/tech%20files/ZR-1007.jpg.html)

P.

[XfireZ51]

Paul,

I went thru that 2X myself. I tried both thin and thicker gaskets. The last time it happened, I had gone WOT and when the throttle shut, BAM a burst of steam came out the back end. I shut down the motor immediately and coasted to a stop. Called a tow and brought it home.

[LGAFF]

I called flat out today, they wanted to look at the gasket, I think I tossed it...will send a pic.....

They also advised they swtiched material providers about 2 years and believe the quality is much better now.....

[XfireZ51]

I wouldn't be interested in being their R&D department. Whatever u do use the Permatex.

[Paul Workman]

I wouldn't be interested in being their R&D department. Whatever u do use the Permatex.

I agree with the Dom! Go w/ what works (Jerry's + Permatex) n let FO do their own research.