Found Very Concerning Issue
 

So this 36 I just bought has a rebuilt engine with about 3K miles on it, told it has aluminum heads. Today I started it up and noticed when it was cool lots of black water or moisture coming out of the exhaust, once it warmed up it seems to clear up and go away. I called the previous owner, and asked him about, he said it always did that for the last 7 years and never had to add coolant. I decided to pull the spark plug to get the number off it and what do I see? Anti freeze sitting on the valves. Seems its the middle two cylinders on the drivers side only.

What do you think I should do?

Re: Found Very Concerning Issue
 

Probably a head gasket. Let's hope...

Re: Found Very Concerning Issue
 

Um, fire up the Way Back machine. Sorry.

Re: Found Very Concerning Issue
 

Take all the pics you can. Tell previous owner & then pull heads to see what you have. If there’s no issues all your out us time & head gaskets.

Re: Found Very Concerning Issue
 

The engine starts right up, runs smooth and no steam from the exhaust. Seems to have plenty of power. But yes I agree the heads need to come off. I would not be be able to sleep at night knowing coolant is sitting in the cylinder all winter. First I need to finish the exhaust then move on to this. As far as pictures I can't expect much from the previous owner, I bought as is where is and signed the bill of sale. He seemed to be a straight shooter, but I'll see what he has to say. Very disappointing, I paid too much for the car already I thought the last thing I was going to have to deal with is the rebuilt engine.

Re: Found Very Concerning Issue
 

Retorque all the cylinder head nuts when cold. Maybe some are a bit loose and just need a nip up. Then run and drive it and see what happens. Retorque them twice after engine cools. Regards, Kevin.

Re: Found Very Concerning Issue
 

Great suggestion Kevin.

Re: Found Very Concerning Issue
 

I was thinking of that I'm glad you suggested it. What should I torque the nuts to on the aluminum heads?

Re: Found Very Concerning Issue
 

45 lb ft. Make sure there are hard washers under the nuts.

Re: Found Very Concerning Issue
 

So I figured I would use a breaker bar seeing I don't have a torque wrench to see if I could tighten a nut or two, (until I get the torque wrench) no way they are super tight. So then I took one of the nuts off to see if there was a flat washer under it, nope.

Re: Found Very Concerning Issue
 

You need to back each nut off then bring it back up with the torque wrench, you can get another 1/4 turn out of them sometimes.


Are you sure its not condensation coming out the exhaust?

Re: Found Very Concerning Issue
 

There seemed to be a lot of water (black sooty water) coming out of the exhaust when it first started it and I revved it up. But it did not appear to be anti freeze. But never the less there should not be anti freeze in the spark plug hole sitting on the valves.

Also why don't I have flat washers under the head nuts. Is this must have or just a good idea?

Re: Found Very Concerning Issue
 

Because the heads are aluminum and the nuts will not turn well on them, giving you a poor torque reading.

Re: Found Very Concerning Issue
 

So I don't understand, should I have or not have washers under the nuts with the aluminum heads? I guess I better do a magnet check too, make sure they are aluminum.

Re: Found Very Concerning Issue
 

Delete






.

Re: Found Very Concerning Issue
 

Okay got it. I was looking on the internet for parts and found you can buy a set of 21 washers for $11 or some others for .99 each what could be the difference and which ones should I get? I also assume all surfaces should be shiny clean like the bottom of the nuts and mating head hole.

Re: Found Very Concerning Issue
 

Get onto 3rd gen automotive, he or one of the other great suppliers on the barn here will help .
Lawrie

Re: Found Very Concerning Issue
 

The torque chart posted is for 24 stud engines, if you engine is original it would be 21 stud.

Re: Found Very Concerning Issue
 

Not sure why folk say back off the head nuts to re torque . I never have and never will ,to my way of thinking it unsettles any sealing done on the threads . A properly lubed nut or stud only need to be torqued down, maybe 3 times or More until the nut/stud settles . Only up if the head is coming off.

Re: Found Very Concerning Issue
 

I had a '37 that spit a bit (tablesoon or so) of water upon a cold start every time during the 27-years I owned it. I drove that car 2- to 3,000 every year with dozens of starts each year and the engine was was still running well when I sold it. Figured the water was just condensation from combustion with a little exhaust carbon mixed in.