96Formula6spd

iTrader: (7)

Hey guys just after I thought my 2.5 years of problems were down my Firebird has started smoking white sweet smelling exhaust. This is only after 400 miles. So now I am up in the air on what to do. Quick rundown on the car. Its a hot cam motor running some milled down 561 heads. Also using ARP bolts and Fel-Pro 1074 head gaskets. I think my problem was i reused the head bolts from a 137 mile rebuilt engine that suffered oil pump failure. Dam Melling oil pumps. So these bolts were used twice on that engine and once on this engine. I am thinking that is what the problem is. I know you are not supposed to reuse them. So I am thinking of ripping these heads off and cleaning up my 374 heads I have laying around. I need to swap the springs and for good measure get some valve stem seals. Also I am going to spend the money on some ARP head studs. Now its on to the head gaskets. I herd good things about the Fel-Pro 1074s and that is why I used them. Are they ok to use or junk. So my other option is a set of stock head gaskets or get some Impala SS ones. What would you guys go with. I am so pissed at this car right now that I could just sell it cheap. Kinda sucks when I just dropped 3k into this car. Also anyone have the part number for the ARP head studs?

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

Don't use the studs. Bolts will work just fine. Many people just can't get the studs to seal, so I wouldn't try it this time. ARP 134-3601.

I like the Impala gaskets personally.

Beau@SDPC

iTrader: (14)

I'm partial to GM Head Gaskets myself!

But in all honesty, I went back with GM gaskets and bolts when I did my head gasket swap and have had no trouble.

Let me know if you would like me to get you a price on gaskets and bolts. Just shoot me a PM or e-mail!

-Beau

93M6Formula

Just a thought, but you did use thread sealer on the bolts right?

quik95lt1

iTrader: (7)

on moderate compression motors like urs ive had good luck with the fel pros..........i ran them on my 13:1 383 and tossed one of them on my 3rd dyno pull lol........for a moderate NA mild nitrous build i dont see a problem with the 1074 gasket.........and use bolts there is no need for studs on your motor.......and be sure to silicone ALL of the bolts........

96Formula6spd

iTrader: (7)

Yeah I used thread sealent. Car is still smoking some more blue now. May be going for a ful rebuild

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

Blue smoke could also be valve seals. Unfortunately there's no way to really tell without pulling the motor apart.

96Formula6spd

iTrader: (7)

Yeah going home and swapping a new pcv valve in. Most likley wont do anything but worth a shot. It does rattle but ill change anways. Car has lost zero coolant but burned 2 quarts of oil in 30 miles. No leaks anywhere. If I go for a rebuild I will get another set of arp bolts and gm impala head gaskets.

RamAir95TA

iTrader: (2)

Save your money...changing the PCV won't change a thing.

96Formula6spd

iTrader: (7)

Yeah got one anyways since mine is clogged. But my oil pressure gauge is acting up. Changing that and checking oil pressure by a mechanical gauge. If its low the car is moving 20 feet and getting towed to the next place to work on it. Hopefully this is not 3 engines in 650 miles.

96Formula6spd

iTrader: (7)

Yep Engine is done. I may just sell the car as is. Sucks cause I just got the t-56 rebuilt to a stage two. Just finished breaking it in and the engine died. Should have sold this car 2.5 years ago when it died the first time.

97badass

iTrader: (8)

then your doing something wrong! im betting it is just your valve seals leaking though. would have made more sense to check them than to buy another pcv valve

speed_demon24

iTrader: (6)

I can't believe no one has mentioned yet that re-using ARP head bolts is fine and isn't the issue.

96Formula6spd

iTrader: (7)

Well I think is valve seals and maybe some blow by. Plus this was a junkyard motor. The engine has been sitting for 2 plus years. The engines before went down like this. First one got a rod knock and was rebuilt. However it suffered oil pump failure at 137 miles. That was a melling pump. Everyone I have talked to local has had trouble with those. So this engine was picked up local. Everything was swapped but I should have just rebuilt it as well. Now I am smoking oil like mad and warm oil pressure is low. Way to much money has gone into this car. I am a poor college student who can't drop another $600-800 into this car. I just spent all my money on rebuilding the transmission. As for the arp bolts that is what I heard. Tho I will be getting a new set when I rebuild this engine if that happens.