Vortec Heads Suck...

[SunSoaked]

The PCV is hooked up correctly.

This whole issue is about to become a moot point as soon as the big brown truck delivers my order.

After dealing with my Holley Sniper ( hurts just saying those words ) disaster, the carb was just to get me by until I could go back to my beloved Pro-flo system.

Although it ran decent with the carb, I was quickly reminded of what a headache they are.

No more starting issues everytime the weather changes, dieseling after shutdown, spark knock...

I ran the original Pro-flo for 15 years with absolutely zero issues.

The swap will rule out everything regarding the fouled plug issue except a bad umbrella seal which I can address while I got it all apart.

[OutlawDrifter]

Very cool, that should definitely make a difference.

I've read nothing but good things about the Edelbrock system. Fitech and the Holley Sniper have had very mixed results based on my research.

[SmirchIs#1]

Some one mentioned intake to head gasket,which I think is a good possibility.One thing I haven't seen mentioned is if the heads you bought have screw in studs & guide plates and the studs aren't sealed like head bolts would be,you can be sucking oil down the stud hole into the intake port.I built a 450 HP 383 for a friends jeep similar symptoms you describe.Only upon taking the heads off,did I noticed the oil trail from the stud holes down the runners.These were Edelbrock aluminum heads.The vortec heads may have blind holes anyway,so wouldn't be the problem.Just another thought.GOOD LUCK

[SunSoaked]

Well I feel like an idiot.

Not sure why I was using the Accell plugs other than they were the shorty version for header's.

Didn't realize the threaded side was about a 1/4 short. To add insult to injury, the porcelain side is less than an 1/8th inch shorter.

Go ahead, flame me. I'm an idiot.

[SmirchIs#1]

That doesn't explain why just one cylinder.An old trick to keep plugs from fouling on an oil burning engine was to install anti foulers.All they were was a short threaded extension to move the spark plug back out of the combustion chamber,which is basically what the short plugs were accomplishing for you.

[OutlawDrifter]

The Delco plug is also a 100% better spark plug. Delco has a much better QC process!

[mattfranklin]

Awesome that you found the problem. And respect for having the guts to share and help the rest of us.

Originally Posted by SunSoaked

Well I feel like an idiot.

Not sure why I was using the Accell plugs other than they were the shorty version for header's.

Didn't realize the threaded side was about a 1/4 short. To add insult to injury, the porcelain side is less than an 1/8th inch shorter.

Go ahead, flame me. I'm an idiot.

[SunSoaked]

The mystery has been solved! A bit of a head scratcher, but it makes sense now.

I pulled the intake off last night in preparation for the efi swap. This is what I found.

My first thought was how the hell could I have put two gaskets on? Impossible. I only had one set and I'm not that stupid normally. After staring at it for awhile, it started to make sense.

The gaskets delaminated and shifted causing the intake ports to leak. The cylinders with the fouled plugs coincided with the intake runners having an oily film in them.

Pulled the valve covers and the valve stem seals are just fine.

This was likely caused by my failure to follow directions included with the Edelbrock intake gaskets. It says to apply Gaskacinch gasket sealer on the head side and a thin coat of rtv around the water jacket ports on the manifold side.

I did NOT use gasket sealer. However, I did not expect this to happen.

[Tom]

NEVER USE THOSE GASKETS. There is a reason oem's are o-ring gaskets on steel. Its only matter of time until fiber gaskets fail. Stop using them.

[garyd1961]

Originally Posted by Tom

NEVER USE THOSE GASKETS. There is a reason oem's are o-ring gaskets on steel. Its only matter of time until fiber gaskets fail. Stop using them.

I have been using felpro 1255 gaskets for a few years now without any problem. When I install them though I use Gaskacench on the entire surface of the gasket. I glue the gasket to the head and then glue the intake to gaskets on the heads. I apply the glue to both surfaces let it set a couple minutes then stick them in place.
The only problem is trying to get the intake back off but I never had a leak.

[SunSoaked]

Originally Posted by Tom

NEVER USE THOSE GASKETS. There is a reason oem's are o-ring gaskets on steel. Its only matter of time until fiber gaskets fail. Stop using them.

You would think a company as reputable as Edelbrock would know this...no?

[AcampoDave]

I too have blown an intake job by not following directions. I didn't have the proper torque wrench and gave it the "ol' seems pretty even and fairly tight" with a 9/16 box wrench and found my idea of fairly tight and even.... was not enough. So being cheap cost me more work, a new gasket and I still had to bu y the torque wrench.

[sweetk30]

hay sunsoaked . did you notice any real change in the way the engine run with the comp roller tip rockers ?

[SunSoaked]

Originally Posted by sweetk30

hay sunsoaked . did you notice any real change in the way the engine run with the comp roller tip rockers ?

No I didn't. I kept with the stock 1.52 ratio. They are nice pieces. Roller tips reduce friction but I don't think they add any power over stock.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by SunSoaked

You would think a company as reputable as Edelbrock would know this...no?

You would think yes. This is a well known thing for people running vortecs. I've been using them since they came out in 96 on my stroker and I have my 98 that runs them oem. Hasn't really been brought up in the last 5yrs that I can think of though so perhaps they updated them? They updated the oem version 3 times....

[tommy3horse]

Hi, the crate I installed about 3 yrs ago has the exact same issue, only have about 8k on it and has used oil since I fired it up. When I got the motor I needed intake bolts and ordered from Summit and added the gaskets both were Edelbrock. My number 5 cylinder has had fouled plugs 3x and I attributed it to burned wires, I too have headers. I wrapped the pipes near the issue and have not had the issue for awhile, but its about that time...

Will be pulling the intake maybe this weekend and will let u’s know what I find.

Tom

[SunSoaked]

Originally Posted by tommy3horse

Hi, the crate I installed about 3 yrs ago has the exact same issue, only have about 8k on it and has used oil since I fired it up. When I got the motor I needed intake bolts and ordered from Summit and added the gaskets both were Edelbrock. My number 5 cylinder has had fouled plugs 3x and I attributed it to burned wires, I too have headers. I wrapped the pipes near the issue and have not had the issue for awhile, but its about that time...

Will be pulling the intake maybe this weekend and will let u’s know what I find.

Tom

Interesting. Hopefully the o-ring type felpro gaskets I used this time will fix that issue...and my stupid mistake of using the wrong plugs. Post pics when you pull it apart.

[tommy3horse]

Hi,
Got it apart today, gaskets dont look good, #6 runner looks dark. Got FelPro #1256 this time. Now to clean this mess up and clean up the Weiand Stealth as well.
Tom

[SunSoaked]

Originally Posted by tommy3horse

Hi,
Got it apart today, gaskets dont look good, #6 runner looks dark. Got FelPro #1256 this time. Now to clean this mess up and clean up the Weiand Stealth as well.
Tom

Looks familiar. Not a fan of those types of gaskets. So far the felpro reusable o&ring style are working good for me. Good luck with getting all that gasket sealant off.