Warping an LS1 Aluminum Head
07-29-2005, 06:39 PM
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Warping an LS1 Aluminum Head What are the chances of warping an LS1 Aluminum head. The reason why I ask is because I recently blew a head gasket and replaced it yesterday only to find out that water is still leaking out the side of my head. I have ARP head studs and torqued them 50, 60 , and then 70. HAs any one warped a head before? I am leaning towards this since the gaskets were brand new. Anyone?
07-29-2005, 09:37 PM
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It blew because you were low on water? How sure are you that you already were low on water before it happened. Check your water pump (takes 5 minutes), make sure it isnt leaking and it is working right and the bearing isnt shot. If not your water pump, make sure all cooling system hoses are connected properly, and are not cracked. If none of those things, then check to make sure you didnt crack your block. Use a flashlight and look all over it, even a tiny crack will leak alot of water, you have to look very closely. Another very big possibily is you didnt install the gasket correctly, or the head warped when it over heated. Check the things in the order I listed, although from your vague description of what happened and your vague details I'd say you have a warped head, but usually the other things are more likely.
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07-30-2005, 06:37 PM
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Originally Posted by stope
It blew because you were low on water? How sure are you that you already were low on water before it happened. Check your water pump (takes 5 minutes), make sure it isnt leaking and it is working right and the bearing isnt shot. If not your water pump, make sure all cooling system hoses are connected properly, and are not cracked. If none of those things, then check to make sure you didnt crack your block. Use a flashlight and look all over it, even a tiny crack will leak alot of water, you have to look very closely. Another very big possibily is you didnt install the gasket correctly, or the head warped when it over heated. Check the things in the order I listed, although from your vague description of what happened and your vague details I'd say you have a warped head, but usually the other things are more likely.
07-30-2005, 06:38 PM
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Originally Posted by redbandit98
make sure you dowels are ok..if the heads are sitting on them just right it will leak like a siv
Are you talking about the two round guides that sit in between the block and the head?
07-30-2005, 06:46 PM
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Originally Posted by 1fstGM
It did over heat, only because it was low in water. The gasket blew from using nitrous.
Brandon
Last edited by xfactor_pitbulls; 07-30-2005 at 07:13 PM.
07-30-2005, 07:19 PM
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Originally Posted by 1fstGM
If a water pump has signs of water leaking from the bottom of it does this usually mean it is shot?
07-30-2005, 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Stroker 1500
you did remove the head and install/torque it in sequence right?
Yes, I have done my heads and others several times now.
07-31-2005, 03:37 AM
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Aluminum heads in general are prone to warpage when overheated, not just LS1 heads. If your head is warped so badly that it is no longer seated squarely on the locator dowels your way past what is considered normal warpage after an engine gets overheated. If it had gotten that bad the head is shot and you probably lost all your water and oil not to mention that you wouldn't have compression at that point which means your engine isn't running anyway. I doubt you overheated your engine to that point. If you can peak between the block/head deck surfaces and see the locator dowels your in big trouble. It's time to dig out the credit card.
