Have a head gasket(im 99.9% certain its the head gasket) thats weeping in the passenger side rear corner. Engine has not been run.

Machine work was done by a very reputable shop so I dont suspect anything there. Head and block were used, but inspected, although I dont know to what degree beyond visual for cracks.

Cometic MLS .040 gasket.

ARP 234-4317 studs torqued to 25-50-80 and small bolts torqued to 28 or whatever that spec is.

Steam ports are dry before anybody says anything about that. Plug for ECT port was pulled and resealed and is dry. Its definitely coming from the head gasket back between say the #7 and #6 bolt locations.

I have a replacement head gasket ready to go...

Anything to try before tearing into it to replace it? Should I crack all the studs loose individually and re-torque? Just bite the bullet and change it?

My buddy suggesting I put the vacuum coolant bleeder on it and see if it holds a vacuum(doubt it will).

 

I don’t think you’ll find anything wrong with the new headgasket on a freshly rebuilt, unstarted engine. Especially a Cometic. You’ve likely got a burr, or a deep scratch…or maybe even a crack, if you’re certain you’ve verified it’s not the steam vent or the cts hole plug.

 

im 99% certain its not a steam port or the ECT plug.

Im hoping for no cracks cause that would be catastrophic...

I dont remember seeing any burrs or anything like that, but its gotta come apart.