Guys we built this lil test motor to get our feet wet with fi. Its been running two years now. Current motor is a stock block cast piston 302 with aluminum heads. Running e85 in a great chasis. But everytime we really throw the boost too it say 18 to 24 psi it pushes water. About two quarts a 1/8 mile pass. It currently has mls headgaskets witg arp studs. Its showing zero signs of detonation. Very safe timing i think 23 or so at 20 psi. However it isnt intercooled yet. Iat in the 200 range. So basicly we are looking for input on our next move. We are looking at o-ringing the block. Or using some kinda spray sealant we seen on here. We dont really wanna waste to much money but this lil combo is so much fun in a 2000lb car.

 

Re: 5.0 pushing water at high boost.

Stock ford block? If so I would count your blessings that it is still in one piece. Next step if you are looking to keep that block is to verify the heads and block are straight, possibly drill and tap the block for 1/2" studs. O ringing does not work as well as the mls gaskets. Some have better luck with the Fel-pro mls, others with Cometic. I would assume at your power level the block is moving around a bit.

 

Re: 5.0 pushing water at high boost.

The block was true. Both heads and block where sent to be checked. last go around. Yes were lucky but to be honest we really dont care about it. 300.00 motor as served its purpose. Its just hard to race something blowing water out. If u keep it under 18 psi no water at all. As many good parts as it has its also hurt by stock tb and intake.

 

Re: 5.0 pushing water at high boost.

What cyl heads? May not care about the motor, but what about the car....... have seen a few wreck driving thru water.

 

Re: 5.0 pushing water at high boost.

Car has a diaper. Car has pro comps with good valves and springs.

 

Re: 5.0 pushing water at high boost.

I would have that block gold plated and keep it forever, i can't believe it and cast pistons have taken 20 psi and lived.

 

Re: 5.0 pushing water at high boost.

Just because the deck checks flat with the head off does not mean it's still flat when it's running.

 

Re: 5.0 pushing water at high boost.

Most likely a deck stiffness issue, and not a fastener issue...... correct? Dont stock ls motors do the same because of deck thickness?

 

Re: 5.0 pushing water at high boost.

Increasing fastener strength can be counterproductive... more clamping force than the block can handle will not give a better seal.

 

Re: 5.0 pushing water at high boost.

Ok and ur saying we should?? Where just looking for ideas too keep headgaskets alive

 

Re: 5.0 pushing water at high boost.

Upgrade the intake, tb, and keep the boost down.

 

Re: 5.0 pushing water at high boost.

351w going in this winter. why waste money. So an intake and tb gonna keep gaskets in nope. We still gonna run 20 plus. Where tryong to save money not waste it on parts. Lol i can see im not gonna get answers here. Your solution throw parts and money at it. If anyone has a solution to keeping head gaskets in at high boost on stock blocks let me know.

 

Re: 5.0 pushing water at high boost.

Stock intakes flow horrible...... ported they barely squeak 200 cfm. Intake would allow you to make more power at lower boost..... saving the head gasket. IIRC the Pro Comps decks are not as thick as some of the other castings, this may be part of your problem. Sometimes there is no fix.

 

Re: 5.0 pushing water at high boost.

I agre they prob. Dont flow a great deal. But from my experience psi can over come alot of flaws. Lol besides we have no interest in turning it down. We wanna turn it up. Hince the reason to fix the gasket issue. Maybe we got a bad mls? I think our next move is to oring the block and add cheap headgaskets and shoot for 40 psi.

 

Re: 5.0 pushing water at high boost.

I have been around diesel tractor pulling for quite some time, and many with good gaskets, or o rings and good fasteners still push water....... just cant fix weak castings.

 

Re: 5.0 pushing water at high boost.

Good luck on your glory pass.

 

Re: 5.0 pushing water at high boost.

Try it with less timing...

 

Re: 5.0 pushing water at high boost.

on E85 I would not run anything less than 20 deg even @ 40 psi. The Windsor engines are don't like low timing just as much as they don't like high timing. I had knock with 15psi, 93 oct, meth, and any thing less than 18deg of timing. Talked to an engine builder friend of mine and he had a customer blow head gaskets with a sbf and 15 deg of timing, no boost. Too safe is not good either.

 

Re: 5.0 pushing water at high boost.

Yeah, stock head bolts. You don't need the studs, they are hurting you. Fastener has to be stretched, like a spring, to keep all the parts in contact with each other as it all moves around. The studs are too stiff to stretch the proper amount without overloading the thin decks on the crappy block.

 

Re: 5.0 pushing water at high boost.

try less timing and see what happens. i know sbf's like timing but thats alot of boost and those high iats dont help. i was at 145* on pumpgas and now with e85 im at 104* on a 87* day. i only have a cheapy $100 shipped ebay fmic