One step forward and two steps back

[CanAm Dave]

Well after the excitement of getting the engine running on Sunday it's all gone a bit down hill. I ran the engine again on Tuesday and brought it up to full operating temp. While doing so I noticed a problem with the mapping software in that the highlighted cell in the map was leaving a trace of highlighted cells behind it. So when I brought the revs down I could not see which load cell I was in. Holley tell me it's probably the software which I can download from their website. I have done this since but can't check due to the second problem that occured. Just before I shut the engine down it sounded like a slight missfire was occuring and I could hear it also through the airfilter. After shutting down I checked over the engine only to find an oil leak. "Bollocks" I thought, is it was going to be an engine out job. Feeling depressed I went in the house for I brew. So back I went to the car and put it up on axle stands for a better look. The oil at first look seemed to becoming from the front of the engine. Timing cover crank seal maybe, orsump gasket. After more investigation it turned out to be coming from the head gaskets. The oil was running down the block and dripping onto the chassis then running forward 6 inches and then dripping onto the floor. Nothing else for it but to take the heads off and check what had happened. So its all been stripped down now and I've found the problem. Continued below.

[CanAm Dave]

The small compression area on the copper head gaskets had not been completely compressed due the the valve 'eyebrow' area just missing the compression area by a few thou.

Good news is that I've got a new set of head gaskets and the heads will go back on tomorrow. But I will have to wait a week for the inlet and exhaust gaskets.

It was all going too well. But it's all good fun
That smile hurts.

Regards Dave
ww.v8yes.co.uk

[steve_d]

CanAm Dave said:

The small compression area on the copper head gaskets had not been completely compressed due the the valve 'eyebrow' area just missing the compression area by a few thou.

Good news is that I've got a new set of head gaskets and the heads will go back on tomorrow. But I will have to wait a week for the inlet and exhaust gaskets.

It was all going too well. But it's all good fun
That smile hurts.

Regards Dave
ww.v8yes.co.uk

Was that the wrong gasket number for your heads?

Steve

[CanAm Dave]

steve_d said:

CanAm Dave said:

The small compression area on the copper head gaskets had not been completely compressed due the the valve 'eyebrow' area just missing the compression area by a few thou.

Good news is that I've got a new set of head gaskets and the heads will go back on tomorrow. But I will have to wait a week for the inlet and exhaust gaskets.

It was all going too well. But it's all good fun
That smile hurts.

Regards Dave
ww.v8yes.co.uk

Was that the wrong gasket number for your heads?

Steve

Hi Steve

These particular heads are not made any more and the gaskets for them are not made either. However since I found the problem I spoke to Racing Head Service in the States who took over production of Pro-Action heads and they told me which gaskets would work with my heads. It's my fault really, but we live and learn.

Regards Dave

[tuxman]

Sorry to here the bad news Dave sounds like a bit of an ARSE !!!!!!! good to hear that you have got it sorted ,if you need it i've got a very big hammer you can borrow simon.

[steve_d]

Different gaskets is what I wanted to hear. If not then you could have been going down the same route again.

Good luck

Steve

[Hugger Z]

Sorry to hear that and good luck now that you know what it is and how to straighten it out. Life is full of these lessons that make you go DOH! It's how we learn.

[gtrclive]

If you want any help mapping the engine I know a man, he was mapping Waynes engine on the way to the SVA, now runs sweat..... Forced induction is his preferred choice as well

[chuntington101]

sorry to hear the cr*py news dave! glad you got it tracked down and sorted!

hope its back up and running very soon!

Chris.

[p15ton]

gtrclive said:

If you want any help mapping the engine I know a man, he was mapping Waynes engine on the way to the SVA, now runs sweat..... Forced induction is his preferred choice as well

As long as it's got Motec on it, he might.....
No sweet...I mean sweat....!

[CanAm Dave]

No Motec on my set-up. I'm trying the Holley Commander system that came with the EFI system for now. I may switch later, it all depends how well I can get it running. I'll report on my findings. It will be going on the rollers later this month.

The heads are back on now, just waiting for the new inlet gaskets to arrive.

Regards Dave
www.v8yes.co.uk

Edited by CanAm Dave on Monday 9th October 16:11