water in oil pan

Okiedokie · January 26, 2010, 12:38:35 PM

As I contemplate removing the intake on my TPI 350 Chevy motor I wonder if I am correct in thinking the intake is the answer. It is a fresh motor, never fired. Crate motor minus the intake to me. I along with the help of a more experienced friend installed the intake, injection. While priming the oil pump I discovered the water in the pan. Am I correct that the intake gaskets are the likely culprit? Joe

Leon · January 26, 2010, 12:51:10 PM

It took me a couple tries with the proper Chevy gasket and bolts to get my intake to seal. I could see some discoloration from the forward passenger side water passage that showed a small leak into the valley. I never had that problem on the older design engines.

Okiedokie · January 26, 2010, 01:22:21 PM

Thanks Leon, not so bad with a carb, pain with TPI. Joe

Okiedokie · January 26, 2010, 01:23:34 PM

Just dawned on me, your comment about bolts. What about em?

enjenjo · January 26, 2010, 01:55:14 PM

Loose the end seals, use silicine sealer A tpi manifold flexes too much, and the rubber end seals will distort it enough to leak.

Okiedokie · January 26, 2010, 05:10:05 PM

"Loose the end seals, use silicine sealer A tpi manifold flexes too much, and the rubber end seals will distort it enough to leak."

Resulting in an internal water leak? Joe
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enjenjo · January 26, 2010, 07:38:54 PM

Quote from: "Okiedokie""Loose the end seals, use silicine sealer A tpi manifold flexes too much, and the rubber end seals will distort it enough to leak."

Resulting in an internal water leak? Joe
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Yes. The old Edelbrock tunnel rams used to do it too. GM quit using the end seals at the factory in the mid 80s.

I discoved this as a problem, when I had a tunnel ram that kept leaking at the water ports. Removed the end seals, no more problem.

They can also leak at the rear water ports.

Okiedokie · January 26, 2010, 07:45:50 PM

Thanks enjenjo, I will make sure to follow your advice. Joe

Okiedokie · March 12, 2010, 01:08:36 PM

Well, my attempt to fire my TPI crate motor continues to stumble. After successfully replacing the intake gasket I discovered water in cyl # 5. The engine had still not been fired for the first time. I pressurized the cooling system to check for leaks and found none, prepped the engine for starting, and attempted to start. Cranked abnormally, so I checked timing [found to be ok] and tried again. Not good, seemed to almost lock up. I started pulling plugs to see what cranking without plugs in was like, got to #5 hole and water poured out. I have now pulled that head expecting to see something odd with the gasket or head. Don't see it. This is a Jon Barrett crate motor, 330 HP, with World Product SR heads. Since Jon is out of business, I can't question him, so once again I am looking for some input from you all. Joe

Land Yacht · March 21, 2010, 11:29:07 AM

I assume you checked both the head and block for flatness using a trusted straightedge? Looking from the side see if you can see light under the straightedge indicating a lowspot, or try to slip a feeler gauge under it. Look for cracks, bad gasket, or not torqued just right?

Okiedokie · March 21, 2010, 10:09:41 PM

Quote from: "Land Yacht"I assume you checked both the head and block for flatness using a trusted straightedge? Looking from the side see if you can see light under the straightedge indicating a lowspot, or try to slip a feeler gauge under it. Look for cracks, bad gasket, or not torqued just right?

I did thanks, appears to have been simply a poor job of torqueing the head. Should have it ready for first fire tomorrow. Then I will know if i am correct. Joe