Leaking Head

[Isaac nickerson]

Hey guys, probably a pretty stupid question, but I'm young and don't know a ton about engines Lol. My SBC 350's

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passenger side head underneath the alternator currently looks to be leaking. There are no drips only moisture. I was just wondering if I pull the valve covers if I would be able to retorque the head bolts to tighten down the head gasket. Or would I need to pull anything else? Any thoughts appreciated. Here is a pic.

 

[Bextreme04]

Hey guys, probably a pretty stupid question, but I'm young and don't know a ton about engines Lol. My SBC 350's

You must be registered for see images attach

passenger side head underneath the alternator currently looks to be leaking. There are no drips only moisture. I was just wondering if I pull the valve covers if I would be able to retorque the head bolts to tighten down the head gasket. Or would I need to pull anything else? Any thoughts appreciated. Here is a pic.

Its very unlikely that is oil from a loose head. You most likely are leaking oil from the intake manifold seal at the front. Its very common to have leaks there. I would pull the intake and clean replace the entire intake manifold gasket set. Place a small amount of RTV at each of the 4 corners where the front and rear gaskets meet the intake manifold gaskets.

 

[Bextreme04]

When you are looking at oil leaks(or just leaks in general), always trace it UP as high as you can go... gravity will have pulled it down from the point of the actual leak

 

[Isaac nickerson]

Thanks guys. I was wondering if it could naybe be the intake. It just looked like it was seeping out of the head. But considering like the whole front of the intake is slowly leaking I guess it could be that. But still out of curiosity is it possible to tighten the heads with the valve covers off?

 

[Bextreme04]

Thanks guys. I was wondering if it could naybe be the intake. It just looked like it was seeping out of the head. But considering like the whole front of the intake is slowly leaking I guess it could be that. But still out of curiosity is it possible to tighten the heads with the valve covers off?

Yes, I would maybe set a torque wrench a bit below expected torque and just verify none are loose, but if the head was actually loose, you wouldn't have an oil leak to the outside. You would have coolant in the oil or oil in the coolant. Or possibly just low compression.

 

[SquareRoot]

Thanks guys. I was wondering if it could naybe be the intake. It just looked like it was seeping out of the head. But considering like the whole front of the intake is slowly leaking I guess it could be that. But still out of curiosity is it possible to tighten the heads with the valve covers off?

Only the outer head bolts that aren't covered by the valve covers. But, that doesn't gain you anything. If you have to torque a head, you have to do it in a sequence and torque progressively to spec.

 

[Bextreme04]

But follow the proper sequence, and TBH I wouldn't mess with it

 

[Isaac nickerson]

Don't see any oil mixed with coolant and vice versa so Im guessing it's like you said: an intake manifold leak. I appreciate you're help guys.