I'm in the middle of doing a H/C install. New cam and porting the heads. Took the heads off..... I think I can safely say I found my exhaust leaks.

Took the cam cover off: All the top bolts holding the cam cover were literally finger tight, I unscrewed them with my index finger and thumb. The two bottom bolts and the two bolts under the oil pan were tight. I had a very tiny oil leak, I think I can say I found it. Look at the bottom where the oil pan meets the timing cover.

I also noticed that the timing chain felt loose, I could move it side to side about 1/2" - 3/4". The LS1 chain looks small compared to the new LS2 chain.

 

Hahaha thats not good that those bolts were that loose; glad you got in there and found out. Thats a pretty nasty exhaust leak

 

you weren't using stock gaskets were you.

 

No, I used the gaskets that came with the Dynatechs. I obviously didn't clean the heads very well at those 2 cylinders.

 

Actually you shouldn't use anything BUT stock gaskets. its not that you didn't clean the heads good enuff. any other gaskets other than the stock ones SUXK ***.

 

Yeah very true; were they the paper ones that you used?

 

The Dynatech gaskets are two layer stainless. The stock gaskets are better? Maybel I will try the stock gaskets when I bolt them up this time.

 

Gaskets are gaskets. Just so you dont use those paper ones you should not have any problems.

 

I put a steel machinists ruler up against the heads and then the header flange. Both were dead straight.

 

Yeah keep the gaskets then, I would atleast.

You sure they got put on straight?

 

Stock gaskets are the number one way to solve header gasket leaks, its proven time and time again. next best gasket is the felpro with perforated core. The "paper" gaskets that come with almost all headers are ****, plain and simple. They can seal, but they are extremely sensitive also, a slight nick or bend and it will leak. Just modify the stock ones so they slip on the end two bolts for a quick easy install.

 

They definitely were on straight.

 

Stock gaskets are super cheap. Easy and inexpensive fix to make sure it dosnt happen again. theyre 3 layer MLS instead of the two layers like the gaskets you used. Could make the difference between leaking again or sealing up good and easy.

 

I'm going to buy some new stock gaskets and try that.

 

While your headers are out, have a machine shop hit them on the flange to make sure they are striaght. I had mine cleaned up for $20 this year when I put the new motor in because my heads looked the same as yours. FWIW.

 

Did you check them before you had them machined?

 

Not with calipers or anything. The guy who cleaned them up said he could see where they were off a bit. Funny thing is my car ran fine, never heard an exhaust leak or saw evidence of it in logs.

 

Me too, I could only hear it if it was in the garage, and even then it was very faint. I think most of the blowby was at WOT.

 

if you never want a header to leak again go and get yourself a set of Percy's deadsoft header gaskets and a set of Stage 8 locking header bolts. they are the best, i would not use anything but them. i have never had a leak with em and they have been reused 6 times now.