Aluminum Heads
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Posted: December 06 2007 11:34 PM
 
Bill Hartman (aka Streetrodder007) [ View ] [ hartman@comcast.net ] [ Car Ads ] [ Blogs ]
Port Huron, Michigan
 
Does anyone know how much a cylinder head swells when they get hot? Especially aluminum heads? I'm having some small leaking issues I am trying to resolve. Tech line was of no help, I think I had the new guy, he told me " oh, not too much" - what the hell is that supposed to mean, he could not give me a definitive answer. thanks,Bill
 
 
 
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Posted by bigdude  -  12/06/2007 11:51 PM
Bill isnt there a special gasket that is used on those? I dont know how much -but I heard that it was significant.
resident know it all [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Three Rivers, Michigan Charter Member since January 2004
 
Posted by Streetrodder007  -  12/07/2007 12:05 AM
I have SCE .043 copper head gaskets, those SOB's cost well over $200 a set. I just pulled the big dollar steel cored rubber valve cover gakets, and swapped for the old stand by $8 cork gaskets with a small line of Hi temp RTV on them- both sides. My front seal is leaking also when the motor warms up. Had a little moisture collect on inside of valve covers also. Couple other bugs... trying to work them out.
Streetrodder007 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Port Huron, Michigan Charter Member since April 2006
 
Posted by Rods & Customs by Leon  -  12/07/2007 12:58 PM
Are you positive on the pin point location of the leaks, where are they, and what heads are you using
Rods & Customs by Leon [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Highlands, Texas Charter Member since May 2004
 
Posted by ol bear  -  12/07/2007 02:25 PM
LOOKS LIKE DART PRO 1 HEADS ,,,,,,,,,,,,OL BEAR TO MUCH BOOST ???
OL BEAR [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] crown point, Indiana
 
Posted by CK  -  12/07/2007 04:44 PM
I have Dart aluminum heads on a blown small block. I know when you adjust valves you adjust them .003- .004 less to compensate for expansion. And yes there are different types of head gaskets that you use on a aluminum head. Ken
CK [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] mililani, Hawaii
 
Posted by Streetrodder007  -  12/07/2007 11:07 PM
These are the DART PRO 1 Aluminum 325 BBC heads. The motor is a bored and stroked 505 BBC. My biggest problem is the front crank seal. I also have thought maybe the blower belt is too tight, so when the heads swell, the blower belt pulls real hard on the crank causing the seal to distort and leak. Last week I took it around the block and oil was dripping on the belt,and in turn slinging on the headers and drivers fender and windshield. Only happens when engine is about 185 or hotter.
Streetrodder007 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Port Huron, Michigan Charter Member since April 2006
 
Posted by Streetrodder007  -  12/07/2007 11:15 PM
CK- I have never heard that about ajusting the valves, but its a good idea. This is a full hydraulic roller motor, with full JESEL Sportsman Series 1.7 rockers, a complete roller valve train from Jesel.
Streetrodder007 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Port Huron, Michigan Charter Member since April 2006
 
Posted by CK  -  12/08/2007 02:12 AM
Streetrodder007, My cam is a solid lifter one. But yes dont make your blower belt too tight either. Mine has almost a inch of play when cold, but when it reaches operating temp and you shut down engine, belt is pretty tight with just a little give in it. If you have no play when hot then maybe belt is too tight, Is this a fresh engine? If it is you may be having some blowby untill its broken in and ring seat , especially with a blown engine. Ken
CK [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] mililani, Hawaii
 
Posted by CK  -  12/08/2007 02:14 AM
I think I wrote it wrong. If you have no play inbelt when cold then belt is definatly too tight. Ken
CK [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] mililani, Hawaii
 
Posted by dwalters  -  12/08/2007 03:02 PM
Streetrodder007,

You say that the front seal is leaking. Maybe the crankcase is getting too much pressure buildup. Is the crankcase ventilated? Just a thought.......... Dave
dwalters [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Shell Knob, Missouri
 
Posted by Streetrodder007  -  12/08/2007 06:36 PM
I have about 3/4 - 1" play right now in the belt when its cold. I think I might up that a little more, than I already have done. I also thought about the crank case pressure, But right now both valve covers have 1" breathers in them, then there is a 3/4" fire retardent hose going down to the collectors on the exhaust where they are connected in, to help scavenge the fumes and pressure. Maybe my hoses are not big enough for all the pressure ? Any thoughts?????
Streetrodder007 [ View ] [ Email ] [ Blogs ] [ Car Ads ] Port Huron, Michigan Charter Member since April 2006
 
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