I had a water leak at number 8 after having the intake off; turns out it was the intake's water passage leaking to the #8 intake port. A little snugging of the intake bolts took care of it. It might be something to check if you're on the fence about tearing it down.
Been working lots and finally found some time to look into this further... Fired the engine up and sure enough it started to smoke just before full operating temp. There have never been massive amounts of moisture belching from that exhaust bank but it definately was noticable...And it was coolant. Haven't pulled the heads off, yet. But found some problems: #1) Checked head bolt torque specs. Found that the extra head bolt on #8 was stripped at the threads tapped into the block deck. The other three bolts were fine at 55ft/lbs. Pulled them, used hi grade petrotape with a light coating of high temp silicone to seal them up. Retorqued the three to 55 ft/lbs. Set the sealed up #8 bolt in as tight as possible without restripping it again (est.15 ft/lbs). Great machinist work huh? Also pulled the 4 header studs from the head and re-sealed them up as well. #2) Yes I did find a few intake bolts that needed certain snugging to 45 ft/lbs, especially at the back of the intake. Replaced coolant, fired it back up, monitored everything closely. The exhaust moisture consumption indication has almost cleared up entirely. Wasn't able to drive the car due to winter weather, but warmed it up to full operating temp and watched the exhaust at different rpm settings. But without driving it under different loads and ensuring full evaporation of residuals thru that exhaust bank, will I know for sure. The new plugs were tan and completely dry. Didn't notice any coolant loss. *Note* (Before) The coolant moisture smoke from the exhaust bank would not start until the engine was almost up to operating temp... Also, never at any time did I notice any instant pressurizing of the coolant system on initial start up. I also remember when we first put the engine on the dyno, we had to reseal the leaking additional head bolts twice. A few possibilities exist: -It is possible that coolant was leaking thru the extra head bolt on #8 and getting past the header stud and into the exhaust manifold if the gasket was burnt and slightly leaking. -Adams theory with the intake leaking. -Or the head gasket has developed a slight leak and now the source is just sealed up. Irregardless, the fact that the additional tapped thread in the block is stripped and can't be properly torqued, sucks...
You got winter there already? Man, we are still golfing here! Too bad you moved out there.:bla: Merry Christmas buddy, Brian
Any updates on this awesome '69? Did you have any et's yet? Nice looking car & interesting combo :beer Jerry
Hey guys, I'm still alive. Been busy workin (thank god) and haven't been around the board much, but still pop in now & then mostly to check on the TA Block updates. The machine is still under cover, safely tucked away in the shop. It doesn't have more than 4-5 hours <100 miles on it since the buildup. The ODO still has a hair over 68,000 original miles. Fixed the minor coolant leak and it runs stellar. Should hopefully have the traction issues worked out now. Haven't really :Brow: had it out on the street since we moved to BC as its not fully out of province insured yet. The goal is to find the time and get it out to one of the local tracks here this summer. I know I said that yast year. Anyway, thanks for the comments & take care. Graham
Hey Josh, good to hear from you. I'm still out at the 150. Haven't ran into you or the old man in awhile. I sent you gearheads a PM. Graham
Adam, Thats a good possibility, I'll be taking July and August off this year. Will be in touch with ya.:TU:
