Gaskets for 350 sbc

[nixtux]

I'm going to start looking into getting the 73' repaired. It's probably the
upper/lower intake gaskets are bad. Maybe the head too. The gaskets
are crap on it. For a engine with only 15,000 miles it shouldn't be blowing
coolant out the tailpipes.

While I'm doing it, I figure maybe have the head gasket replaced since it's
probably the same crap as the intake on the heads.

I got some felpro gaskets for the exhaust manifolds but need to find
some decent headers to replace the shitty custom ones on there now.
There are loads of choices but I figured I'd ask for recommendations
from experience.

68-79 Chevy 350 block
bored .03" flat-top pistons, 9:1
Comp Cam 242
ground crank, double roller timing chain, stiffer springs.

In regards to the stall converter, I've heard people complain about
B&M. I don't think it pushes enough power to break it but considering
the claims I've read, it may be worth changing out? Figured I'd ask.

Rebuilt TH350, shift kit, B&M 2000 stall converter.
3.73 gears, 12-bolt rear end.

Thanks!

[Superdave]

SBC gaskets are dirt cheap, do them all.. lol


If yours is anything like mine the rubber seal at the bottom of the timing cover probably leaks where it seals against the oil pan.

Felpro gaskets are fine, just remember to clean the surfaces really well, then wipe everything down with paint thinner or another solvent to get rid of oil.. RTV around the coolant ports on the intake manifold (both sides of the gaskets) and RTV the timing cover.

[nixtux]

Compression tested the 350 in order 1-8. 1, 3, 5, 7 driver, 2468 pass.

1 - 145/140
2 - 140/135
3 - 140/140
4 - 140/145
5 - 120/125
6 - 125/130
7 - 130/135
8 - 135/135

If I read right, those are in range but not really sure.


Given that, replaced the intake/valve/exhaust gaskets. The intake gaskets were
soaked in oil and clearly leaking. The bolts were all under torched and one didn't
have a washer so there was a fair space. The cork gasket on the valve covers
were bad.

Didn't have any coolant to replace the coolant lost so just pulled it out of the garage
and just parked it until next time I go to my friends. However it seemed to be
blowing coolant but it runs a lot smoother so I'm thinking just change the oil and
see if it just needs to burn off coolant from somewhere.

Just figured I'd see if anyone had any suggestions.

[Superdave]

Loctite the intake bolts, they always seem to come loose if you don't.


compression numbers look good

[nixtux]

Loctite the intake bolts, they always seem to come loose if you don't.


compression numbers look good

We didn't loctite because the book didn't say it and they weren't previously.
But they are easy enough to get to so will do that next weekend. Thanks.


It kind of sounded like it had a lifter click in it, but that's always kind of
been there. It started right up and ran smooth verse before it was
bogging out a lot. I just hope it runs right after this... Get it in storage
before the snow sticks it between the trees.

It was clean inside, springs were spotless, pushrods all looked nice
and even the oil was clean for having a bit over 1000 miles on it.

The spark plugs were a bit oily and some were sludgy though. Not sure if
that's normal, but got new plugs. I forgot to grab the old plugs.

It has around 15000mi on the rebuild.

[Superdave]

what rockers are you using?


i had Magnum roller tips and a few of them backed out by a few turns every 1K miles, i ended up buying some nuts to put on top of the rocker nuts to lock them in place. That plus aluminum header gaskets solved all my ticking sounds.

[nixtux]

what rockers are you using?


i had Magnum roller tips and a few of them backed out by a few turns every 1K miles, i ended up buying some nuts to put on top of the rocker nuts to lock them in place. That plus aluminum header gaskets solved all my ticking sounds.

That'd make sense, a couple of them were loose but I didn't think much of
it. As for what rollers, I have to dig out the papers for that.

When removing the pieces of cork from between the springs I noticed
a few that were loose while the neighboring were not.

I replaced the exhaust manifolds with felpros which one side was
aluminum. I noticed an improvement just from that. It was easier
to hear where the ticks were coming from.

I have to get new headers and have about 4ft of new piping because the
leaks are pretty bad going back to the cats. After that though, it's
stainless steel. I don't plan to drive it until I get that done because
they are pretty bad leaks. Got to get it running first. Although I think
the coolant was burning off the headers. When I'd stop the truck
you could easily see and smell the coolant burning. Just a theory for now
though. If that's the case, I think the intake gasket would fit. I hope heh.

[nixtux]

Took the old girl on the road today. So far so good, occasionally it still blows coolant.
Normally after braking or accelerating. I assume there is still some coolant in the exhaust.

She ran great though. Took her up to 65MPH which before it wouldn't go over 30 without
bogging. Very pleased that it was something as simple as a intake gasket.