454 Leaky Head Studs Nightmare

Oh My gosh, It just won't go right. I am not going to quit. I will win this battle.

[@autumnjeserich2689]

Sometimes thats the way she goes. When I was rebuilding my engine I said enough swear words to make a sailor blush when I realized my block was warped. But managed to correct that myself even with a air hammer and a pvc pipe wrapped in sand paper and tape. Then I said another similar amount of swear words after the rear main seal popped out on the first startup. Dropped the trans and did a manual swap while I was at it to replace that seal now almost at 2k miles and couldn't be happier with the end result. seeing how you've done this build to this point I have no doubt when its done someone is going to be blown away by this engine when you get to the other side.

[@DACoutBack]

Thank You. Just when I see the light, the light fades away multiple times on this pickup. This is the 3rd time tearing this engine down. It has gotten expensive for me and I will not do another persons vehicle again. I never figured on spending anything on this pickup. Now, I'm in it for thousands of dollars that I could have wasted on my own vehicles.

[@barrybaker9677]

I was just leaving my garage when you posted your video. Figured I'd take some me time and watch it. Brother I feel your pain. Don't be hard on yourself. Been there and done that myself. God Bless Everyone and Trust in our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus 🙏 ❤❤

[@arturozarate1752]

Good call on the power valve. 👍

[@DACoutBack]

I haven't even had the opportunity to start tuning at all. I will be tuning with a AF wide band.

[@495ciGTO]

Glad to hear Ramona is feeling better. I use Permatex High temp thread sealer. It comes in a small tube. Part # 59235 I have used it for years and it works great. Keep up the good work.

[@DACoutBack]

Sounds good, thanks.

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

To empty the radiator, I syphon the coolant out using a 6ft length of 3/8 vinyl tubing. Right straight into the 1gal. antifreeze jugs.

[@inductionsymphonytrd]

shlack wow thats impressive sir . wishing you all the best. from canada

[@DACoutBack]

Didn't work

[@johnweaver8470]

I use permatex number 2 non hardening on my head bolts, with good results looks like the product you use is working great too seal the studs, keep the videos coming

[@DACoutBack]

Yeah, I seen a guy here on KZbin saying to use #2 sealant

[@arturozarate1752]

I think a little before 4:50 I heard you say that you had the idle mixture screws all the waybin and it didn't make a difference. If that's what I heard then you're into your transfer circuit which is right after the idle circuit. That's why I had mentioned you not adjust the idle from there. The butterflies get beyond the "square" that the idle circuit operates in. It can be a PITA(pain in the ass). I'll finish the video, but if that's the case let me know and I'll try to hand you all the help I can.

[@DACoutBack]

When I lowered the fuel level in the bowl the screws worked. Nothing works now, it's all tore down again.

[@arturozarate1752]

@DACoutBack I'll keep watching. On your studs not retaining the PTFE thread sealant.....all fastners need to be washed. Dawn dishsoap will do the deed. Apply the paste and stud in finger tight. Coolant contamination will kick yo u r ass.

[@DACoutBack]

@@arturozarate1752 Replacing studs with bolts. Keeping studs for my own BBC. later

[@DACoutBack]

@ Yeah coolant everywhere. When I pulled the main caps off the oil in there looked almost milky.

[@greggc8088]

I hate to do it and usually have great results from the liquid Teflon when the weather is warm, but a little Bar's stop leak takes care of some of those hard to stop leaks around bolts.

[@DACoutBack]

The engine is setting in my shop. Pulled it out today.

[@DACoutBack]

I should have tried some stop leak. I really didn't even think of doing that.

[@philchambers188]

i use gasket sealer 2B...non hardening on every bolt...some head bolts on 454 go into water jackets...just a thought...i like your channel...and glad ramona is ok....i will see your next vid...thanks...

[@phildo39645]

I’m praying for ya brother I’ve been there too.. I’ve had good luck with that white sealant on dozens of engines so idk what’s going on here.. Looking forward to seeing what you find.. I’ve had those nuts from Comp go bad,fastenall had some in stock. I bought theirs n never had another one loosen up again. Comp does make ones with a set screw in the top of the nut that you lock down after adjustment with an Allen wrench. Seems to run real good and sounds awesome man!👍🏻

[@CK-mf6du]

Perhaps the head studs with the nuts is causing issue? I personally would just go with some arp head bolts if possible. I put sealant on both the threads and under the head. Forget number but its high temp thread sealant from permatex. In a tube. I wouldn't recommend the shellac because it gets hardened. Sorry to hear about your bad luck. Keep moving forward, i know you will get it.

[@guyyates3284]

Wow ...i feel your pain ...ok ...your oil pressure gauge is mechanical..check to make sure you have no air in line at gauge...my summit store recommended high temp sealant on bolts and clean threads before applying...why the rotella oil ? ...since roller you don't need the zddp in oil ... on the caprice yes it did look lick it is out either caster or chamber 1 is in /out lean other is front to back lean ...can't remember looked in /out lean off ..(old age )....glad to hear Ramona is doing better ...looking forward to hearing what you find out .....not that I'm a professional mechanic just observing...good luck

[@DACoutBack]

Not mechanical, it is low oil pressure. Yes, the caster on the Caprice is at 4 degrees. Supposed to be less than that. Ramona is doing ok, not great but she is home. Rotella for the cast rings.

[@guyyates3284]

@DACoutBack my gauge in my 67 is mechanical with oil line to back not electrical with wire ...only 2 types I know of ....then it could be worn bearings then not giving pressure...if with oil line then just make sure there is no air ...air will compress ...oil will not ...looking to hear what you find ...

[@DACoutBack]

@ There is no oil line. The gauge has a sender unit with wires. The engine has 55 psi on new oil change. When the oil gets thinned out with what has to be antifreeze, it loses oil pressure.

[@guyyates3284]

@@DACoutBack yep ....got it ....head bolts must still be leaking ....I guess this is a reason I see more people use studs with nuts ..to be sure the threads get sealed ....looking to see what you found out and your fix ..so I know how to avoid this when I assemble my bbc ....keep up the video's...also I missed all the work on the truck prior to the motor ...

[@DACoutBack]

@ I really wasn't sure that I could seal them up. I was hoping that shellac would seal up. I guess the surfaces need to be cleaned properly. A lot of the work on the truck is on videos. I have a playlist on the truck and a playlist on the engine.

[@timbof1016]

I just used that stuff to seal my screw-in rocker studs. Maybe the gauge is bad now? I think the oil is still too thin, change the oil again maybe because that’s definitely where your pressure is going.

[@DACoutBack]

The gauge is good. I have changed oil 3 times, getting kind of expensive on the oil changes. Pressure goes back up every time.

[@timbof1016]

@@DACoutBack it could be the carb cleaner, if it was water the oil would still be white.

[@DACoutBack]

@ Yeah, there wasn't that much carb cleaner used plus the carb cleaner would have been flowing into the water jackets and not the crankcase.

[@arturozarate1752]

Don't waste your time or money on that purple power whatever.....Castrol Superclean is the way to go. Twice the price, but it works!

[@johnweaver8470]

Maybe the coolant leak is from the intake gasket leaking?

[@DACoutBack]

No, it is from around the head studs.

[@five-oonsene545]

I have always used the gray Permatex on head studs without ever any issues. Hate you are having oil pressure issues. I would look at the cam bearings and lifters, that's where most of your oil pressure comes from. Looked like some mighty thin oil to me. Very strange indeed.

[@DACoutBack]

3 oil changes, pressure goes back up and oil gets thinned out by another liquid. Coolant is the only thing I can think of that would get into the oil. Coolant around the head studs indicates, the studs are leaking coolant around the threads.