Fel Pro head gaskets compared to Victor

[Michael G.]

After having my '66 427 fully rebuilt and now run-in (1:45 run time) am experiencing something at a loss to understand. Engine powers up, runs and sound very good. Ran the engine again tonight have noticed after serveral minutes of running see minscule......minscule bubbles every so often between the head and block at the back of engine where the head gasket can marginally be seen. I got my machinest over to let him see the engine from it's cold state to a complete "up to temp" running engine. He's scatching his head as well . Block and heads where manafluxed with heads slightly milled. Engine temps out around 190*-200*. I'm going to pull the engine back down to check for head gasket issues as I've nor him has not seen something like this at this location on the engine. Not sure if this is an issue but doesn't seem it would be normal for big block Chevy........or even a small block for that matter!
Lastly....Fel Pro head gasket was gasket of choice.....any advantage to Victor or Mr. Gasket head gaskets? Thanks in advance

[Clem Z.]

Re: Fel Pro head gaskets compared to Victor

After having my '66 427 fully rebuilt and now run-in (1:45 run time) am experiencing something at a loss to understand. Engine powers up, runs and sound very good. Ran the engine again tonight have noticed after serveral minutes of running see minscule......minscule bubbles every so often between the head and block at the back of engine where the head gasket can marginally be seen. I got my machinest over to let him see the engine from it's cold state to a complete "up to temp" running engine. He's scatching his head as well . Block and heads where manafluxed with heads slightly milled. Engine temps out around 190*-200*. I'm going to pull the engine back down to check for head gasket issues as I've nor him has not seen something like this at this location on the engine. Not sure if this is an issue but doesn't seem it would be normal for big block Chevy........or even a small block for that matter!
Lastly....Fel Pro head gasket was gasket of choice.....any advantage to Victor or Mr. Gasket head gaskets? Thanks in advance

i would re torque the heads to make sure they are torqued to specs. did he use sealer on the head bolts ??

[Michael G.]

Re: Fel Pro head gaskets compared to Victor

Clem,
According to machinest, heads are torqued 3 separate times during that process. Don't know about sealer on bolts. I always do. He has no quams about taking it down to have a look. No course can be charted till the heads come off for examination. Just thought I might consider another brand of head gaskets......and of course sealer on bolts.

[Jerry B.]

Re: Fel Pro head gaskets compared to Victor

hello guys. what bolt sealer would you recommend THANKS

[Michael G.]

Re: Fel Pro head gaskets compared to Victor

Jerry,

I've always used a brand Coppercoat.

[Clem Z.]

Re: Fel Pro head gaskets compared to Victor

i use permatex part # 80019 aviation form a gasket.

[Joe L.]

Re: Fel Pro head gaskets compared to Victor

Clem,
According to machinest, heads are torqued 3 separate times during that process. Don't know about sealer on bolts. I always do. He has no quams about taking it down to have a look. No course can be charted till the heads come off for examination. Just thought I might consider another brand of head gaskets......and of course sealer on bolts.

Michael------


Like clem advised, re-torque the head bolts before you do anything else. I would torque them to 5 pound/ft higher than they were originally torqued (the GM-specified torque found in the service manual is actually the middle of a range of acceptable torque, so going 5 lb/ft over that won't put you out of the range).

By the way, what Fel-Pro gaskets did you use? Did you use the Permatorque Blue gaskets or some other type?

[Timothy B.]

Re: Fel Pro head gaskets compared to Victor

Michael,

How about a pressure test on the water system before you go through all that work. I agree the bolts probably need sealer.

[Michael G.]

Re: Fel Pro head gaskets compared to Victor

All,

Spoke with my machinist today and as suspected he did indeed use sealant when bolting the heads to the block. With what I'm hearing from some of you we're looking at taking the "low road" approach" and re-torquing the heads....however didn't seem to be too comfortable re-torquing 5 ft. lbs above torque spec. Indicated there's potential to pull threads....40 + year old block. I'll give this a try and see what results are achieved. It's an unusual situation.

[Edward J.]

Re: Fel Pro head gaskets compared to Victor

Mike, ive been around cars for 40 years, a small leak between the block and head, may be the lathe used to machine the heads may have been set to coarse when cutting. or there may be a possiable the block deck , but doubt thats the problem with the area leaking, I once had this small problem with a car at my shop, I ended up removing head again.

As far as gaskets go theres not many choices out there, but my choice would victor gaskets, I use these gaskets without problems. fel pro is my second choice.

[Gene M.]

Re: Fel Pro head gaskets compared to Victor

.............. may be the lathe used to machine the heads may have been set to coarse when cutting. (quote)

Edward,
A mill or a surface grinder is used to cut the heads not a lathe. A lathe is for turning operations.

[Edward J.]

Re: Fel Pro head gaskets compared to Victor

Gene, my bad, surface cutter is correct.

[Michael G.]

Re: Fel Pro head gaskets compared to Victor

Gene.....you don't state....what was the result after pulling the head? Were Victor head gaskets used? Was the issue resolved?

Joe.... head gasket was a Permatorque blue from the rebuild kit 260-1009

[Terry M.]

Re: Fel Pro head gaskets compared to Victor

I am a low tech kind of guy. If retorque didn't work I wouldn't hesitate to throw some Bars Leak in it and se what happens. Only if that didn't work would I take it down.

[Michael G.]

Re: Fel Pro head gaskets compared to Victor

Terry.....Bars Leak . Please explain. Thanks.