That would be my hunch. Curious to see that head. Should be one (or two??) very clean chamber and valves

 

Here are the drivers side photos

 

 

Well hell that didn't tell us much either. Did you smell coolant at any time and was the rear steam port seals also replaced? It's really hard to say that it's still not a head gasket causing the issue and I'm with you on the light coat of Permatex copper spray on the head gaskets. Looks like there's still some old gasket material left on the block so get everything cleaned up really well and the holes in the block cleared of coolant and I would have those cylinder heads checked out also.

Sorry for your troubles brother and hope this time around she's good to go!

 

I'm going to clean up the block as best I can, yeah there is some **** I couldn't really get off before. I never smelled coolant.


Here is the top of a piston on this side.

 

I'm being told this is from coolant

 

I think the moral of this story will be cleaning the heads far better and having a calibrated torque wrench.

 

Any affected combustion chambers might not be showing a ton of coolant "cleaning" due to the fact that the internal leak might have been pretty minor until recently. Reason being, the other coolant leak that was recently repaired (water pump/t-stat housing) could have been a greater weak point, acting as pressure relief for the system. This would explain why the problem seemed to have worsened just as soon as you buttoned up all other leaks/possible leaks.

So don't be too discouraged by the lack of obvious evidence regarding long term coolant exposure to any given cylinder. Regardless, those loose head bolts were a problem, and now that will be solved (along with the cleaner gasket mating surface).

 

Drove it around last night for over an hour and did some pulls. Its remained full. I'm hesistant to say resolved after this but..there you have it.

 

Been driving it around quite a bit today and not 1 drop of coolant loss..Finally..

 

Looks like the drivers head/block juncture was the issue...
Sure glad it looks like it is SOLVED!

 

Great news on the continued positive result!

 

Thanks for getting back with your results...always good to see a positive follow up.

 

Absolutely! Despite what my profile says, I've been on Ls1tech for about 12 years. I wish I could get my old profile combined with this one if the mods are listening lol......

Anyway, I can't stand it when threads don't have a solution or final post.

 

Well, it's been another day. Still good??

 

Sure is! Runs fantastic, no coolant loss.

 

Nice!!

 

The merge isn't something we can do, but if you have an access issue with your old account and would like to regain access, that's something I could help with.

 

Not to be a party pooper, but that coolant looks a little milky. Did you do a flush? I know people debate the merits of flushing, but some old degraded coolant with combustion byproducts may still be circulating in the system.

Otherwise, glad you're up and running well.

 

I think the glare is playing tricks on you. I've had this coolant replaced like 3 times in the last 2 years lol. Some for "fun" reasons and some not. It is pure dex. I'll grab another picture to be sure.