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Old 10-11-2020, 06:08 PM   #1
billybronco1
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Angry 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?
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Old 10-11-2020, 06:16 PM   #2
Kube
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Default Re: Found Very Concerning Issue

Probably a head gasket. Let's hope...
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Old 10-11-2020, 06:17 PM   #3
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Default Re: Found Very Concerning Issue

Um, fire up the Way Back machine. Sorry.
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Old 10-11-2020, 06:18 PM   #4
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Default 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.
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Old 10-11-2020, 06:34 PM   #5
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Default 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.
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Old 10-11-2020, 06:45 PM   #6
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Default Re: Found Very Concerning Issue

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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.
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Old 10-11-2020, 06:49 PM   #7
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Great suggestion Kevin.
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Old 10-11-2020, 06:51 PM   #8
billybronco1
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Default 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?
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Old 10-11-2020, 06:56 PM   #9
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Default Re: Found Very Concerning Issue

45 lb ft. Make sure there are hard washers under the nuts.
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Old 10-11-2020, 07:15 PM   #10
billybronco1
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Default 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.
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Old 10-11-2020, 07:57 PM   #11
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Default Re: Found Very Concerning Issue

Quote:
Originally Posted by billybronco1 View Post
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.

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?
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Old 10-11-2020, 08:10 PM   #12
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Default 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?
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Old 10-11-2020, 08:17 PM   #13
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Default Re: Found Very Concerning Issue

Quote:
Originally Posted by billybronco1 View Post
Also why don't I have flat washers under the head nuts. Is this must have or just a good idea?
Because the heads are aluminum and the nuts will not turn well on them, giving you a poor torque reading.

Last edited by JSeery; 10-11-2020 at 09:04 PM.
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Old 10-11-2020, 08:31 PM   #14
billybronco1
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Default Re: Found Very Concerning Issue

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Originally Posted by JSeery View Post
Because the heads are aluminum and the nuts will not turn well on ithem, giving you a poor torque reading.
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.
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Old 10-11-2020, 08:45 PM   #15
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Default Re: Found Very Concerning Issue

Delete






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Last edited by Lanny; 10-13-2020 at 11:53 AM.
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Old 10-11-2020, 08:54 PM   #16
billybronco1
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Default 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.
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Old 10-11-2020, 08:59 PM   #17
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Default Re: Found Very Concerning Issue

Get onto 3rd gen automotive, he or one of the other great suppliers on the barn here will help .
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Old 10-11-2020, 09:07 PM   #18
JSeery
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Default Re: Found Very Concerning Issue

The torque chart posted is for 24 stud engines, if you engine is original it would be 21 stud.
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Old 10-11-2020, 09:27 PM   #19
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Default 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.

Last edited by my4dv8; 10-11-2020 at 09:36 PM.
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Old 10-11-2020, 09:54 PM   #20
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Default 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.
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