Oil Leak at Head Gasket

[Laga]

After finding the oil leak coming out of the key way in the front of my he engine. I discovered a second one coming out of the rear outside corner of the passenger head gasket. It’s not a large leak, and it doesn’t seep done the side of the block. It drips onto the starter. Can just the passenger side HG be replaced, or do both sides need to be done? Thanks.

 

[86GT351]

After finding the oil leak coming out of the key way in the front of my he engine. I discovered a second one coming out of the rear outside corner of the passenger head gasket. It’s not a large leak, and it doesn’t seep done the side of the block. It drips onto the starter. Can just the passenger side HG be replaced, or do both sides need to be done? Thanks.

You can always do just one if you choose to. Both are always suggested.

 

[JC SSP]

You sure it’s not the valve cover gasket?

 

[Midlife Crises]

You certainly can replace one or both head gaskets with the engine in the car. It is a pain in the “back” getting the deck clean to accept a new gasket without pushing crap into the oil return and cooling passages. Not fun at all.
Are you sure the PCV system is working properly and not forcing oil out through the sealing surfaces?

 

[Laga]

It is not the valve cover. Definitely the head gasket.

You certainly can replace one or both head gaskets with the engine in the car. It is a pain in the “back” getting the deck clean to accept a new gasket without pushing crap into the oil return and cooling passages. Not fun at all.
Are you sure the PCV system is working properly and not forcing oil out through the sealing surfaces?

The PCV valve was removed before rebuild, and replaced with a catch can on each side and a vented oil fill cap.
If I have to remove the timing cover, I might as well replace both gaskets.
It doesn’t leak a lot. The fact that the front crankshaft key way leak was throwing oil everywhere, disguised it.
It’s become really hard to find a shop to do quality work. The one I’m willing to go with is swamped right now. Thinking I will wait till fall, after track season, and tackle it myself if I’m up to it. As long as it doesn’t get any worse, a wipe down between sessions should be enough to prevent any oil getting on track.

 

[JC SSP]

I think I am missing something here. You’re leaking oil from the head gasket yet you’re still going to drive and race the car?

 

[lwarrior1016]

It’s kind of odd, but the 4.6 is pretty bad about the head gasket seeping oil. Not really all that bad either, just a seep. I’ve replaced numerous because of this. But I also drove my old npi 4.6 for years and years with it leaking at the head gasket. Sometimes it stays just a seep, sometimes it blows out and becomes a leak.

 

[Laga]

I think I am missing something here. You’re leaking oil from the head gasket yet you’re still going to drive and race the car?

It’s a very small leak. It is an occasional drip at worse. It’s been there for quite awhile, just like Iwarrior1016 describes. Plenty of old posts around describing exactly what I have with no mention of HG actually blowing.

 

[lwarrior1016]

I had one on a 97 f150 that blew out after a very long time of a small leak. Eventually it would pump the oil out of the head gasket in about 100 miles.

 

[Midlife Crises]

This is the FoMoCo gasket I used at rebuild. No weeps or drips so far.

 

[Laga]

I was looking into Ford or Fel-pro for the gaskets. Are those ARP studs?

 

[Midlife Crises]

I was looking into Ford or Fel-pro for the gaskets. Are those ARP studs?

Yes. ARP 12 point studs for the heads and main caps. ARP side bolts and rod bolts. They are not torque to yield.