Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-12-2017, 06:31 AM   #1
cosmo
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 11
Default flathead issues

Blew the head gasket #4 on my 8BA engine with aluminum heads. Had antifreeze pouring out the exhaust. Replaced head gasket using copper, Used thread sealent on bolt threads retorqed to 50# all acrording to the book. Engine runs great now but when it comes down to idle alittle white exhaust starts coming out the tailpipe. I don't notice it when driving down the road, only at idle. Any ideas? Thanks, Dave
cosmo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2017, 06:49 AM   #2
Henry/Kokomo
Senior Member
 
Henry/Kokomo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Kokomo, Indiana
Posts: 1,731
Default Re: flathead issues

Warped head? Cracked block? Wavy deck on the block? Would have to do some accurate measuring / checking to tell for sure.. Good luck.
__________________
Henry
Henry/Kokomo is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 05-12-2017, 06:55 AM   #3
Phil Gillespie
Senior Member
 
Phil Gillespie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Christchurch New Zealand
Posts: 1,603
Default Re: flathead issues

Have you been through 3 torque cycles oon heads. Maybe try another torque cycle first.
Phil NZ
Phil Gillespie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2017, 08:02 AM   #4
JSeery
Member Emeritus
 
JSeery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 16,132
Default Re: flathead issues

As Henry stated, if you didn't check the heads, block mating surface or inspect for cracks, it will be very difficult to determine what the issue might be now.
JSeery is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2017, 07:51 PM   #5
Binx
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Gloucester VA
Posts: 1,042
Default Re: flathead issues

You could have a coolant pool in your muffler that needs to be cooked off with a long drive.

Lonnie
Binx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2017, 05:51 AM   #6
Frank Miller
Senior Member
 
Frank Miller's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Auburn, MA
Posts: 2,106
Default Re: flathead issues

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Could benormal exhaust condensation. As someone said, try retorquing and then run for a while to see if you're losing coolant.
__________________
“The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound
Frank Miller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2017, 06:28 AM   #7
cosmo
Junior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 11
Default Re: flathead issues

I went through the 3 torque cycles trying to do everything right. Exhaust was full of antifreeze. Engine is cooling great, level in radiator is not dropping, oil is clean. Just seems not right to do this in idle. Will get out this weekend and drive. Thanks!!
cosmo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2017, 08:34 AM   #8
37 Cab
Senior Member
 
37 Cab's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Miami Oklahoma
Posts: 535
Default Re: flathead issues

Might use a block test Kit to see if there are hydrocarbons in the cooling system. Nice tool for small leaks that are not obvious.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_7001006
__________________
Tommy
37 Cab is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2017, 09:46 AM   #9
chap52
Senior Member
 
chap52's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Marana Arizona
Posts: 1,771
Default Re: flathead issues

Opening a can of worms, but I would think that composite head gaskets would be more apt to seal small imperfections in deck or head.
Here is a video of how a head can be surfaced at home.
Maybe I've opened two cans of worms. You decide!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK2R2LdkLKs
chap52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2017, 10:41 AM   #10
19Fordy
Senior Member
 
19Fordy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 10,875
Default Re: flathead issues

No, you didn't open a can of worms. In many of the poorer countries in the world where you have to "make do" this is the way it's done.
19Fordy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2017, 10:46 AM   #11
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,371
Default Re: flathead issues

Cracks in the exhaust valve bowls can be slow seepers. The center deck area it right above the siamese exhaust port and can crack in the center bolt bore area down into the port causing a slow seeper.

If the head gasket is holding its mud then a person might try some Bars leaks but the stuff can also plug up things you don't want plugged at times. If your radiator is old and partially crudded up, the sealers can finish off the plug.
rotorwrench is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:14 PM.