Lifting the head under boost...

[iniviate]

the car runs and drives perfect....

however, if i make a pull down the road the temp shoots right up to about one mark before "overheating" on the stock gauge. if i drive around for a little bit, the temp will work it's way back down.

before getting on it the car doesnt smoke, but once you go out and make some pulls it will smoke just a touch of white for a little bit afterwords... however, the next day it'll be just peachy untill it gets under a decent load.

it's either got to be a slightly blown HG, or it's lifting the head under boost.

i'm currently running ~22psi. i bought new 11mm felpro head bolts, and tapped the block for them this last time around. i'm also using a felpro HG, which i know is a "no no" ... but i had one laying around, so i used it. i'll take it apart here shortly and find out if it's blown or not.

my old setup was lifting the heads at ~20psi... which is why i went to the 11mm head bolts.

basically.... what can i do to fix this? will the ARP bolts and the mopar gasket stop this? can i get away with just the mopar gasket? (i'm on a budget untill i get the trans am back up and running)

thanks in advance
chris...

[glhsken]

Use the mp bolts and gasket. We run them to well over the boost levels you are running with no issues.

[BLUEBALL]

Ive run both fel pro and MP gaskets with neither being better to me. Make sure your using correct torque sequence and torque readings. Check for head/block flatness and of course, cure any detonation problems. Since head will be off,check for cracks in water crossover passages for small cracks that no head gasket will seal. If overlooked,can cause a little hair pulling.
o yeah,Mopar bolts seem to work just as good as any other ive used.

[DakotaKid]

30 psi with MP 006 gasket and Felpro bolts, did not have any issues.
Went with ARP Studs since just for insurance.

-Bryan

[iniviate]

thanks for the replies...

i need to check out the head, as it's just some old POS i had laying around.

Might be warped or have a small crack in it. Did you have it milled flat before you put it on?

[90Acclaim]

Not to steal the thread, but would a small crack between the water line, and the crossdrilled water line on a Turbo head really cause much of a problem? From everything I've heard, it's not a big deal, unless it's cracked further.

[Mike Radowski]

i would recommend the mopar gasket, or if you want more insurance, a cometic mls gasket. i believe cindy at fwd stocks them in various thicknesses.

before you reinstall the head, check for warping using a straightedge and feeler gauge

[minimopar]

Sounds like you are advanced one tooth or more on the cam timing.