Posted March 20, 200519 yr comment_117620 Guess what I found today?............I discovered the head gasket was leaking, I warmed it up pop the valve cover to re torque the head and it is maxed out, my guess it was over torque and the bolts aremaxed out as well…..History, for those of you that do not know I bought this 70/240 after it was sitting for some 6 -7 years and am bringing it back to life….the OD says 130K miles the previousowner said the head was done 30k back.What do you guys think should do, pull the motor or just redo the head again?What would your next step be?? Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/15375-what-is-my-next-step/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 20, 200519 yr comment_117622 Not sure what you mean when you say " I warmed it up pop the valve cover to re torque the head and it is maxed out". "What" is maxed out?What, Where, and How is the head gasket leaking? (What fluid? Leaking Where? How bad?) Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/15375-what-is-my-next-step/#findComment-117622 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 20, 200519 yr Author comment_117625 Hi Carl,It is leaking a little oil down on the block just above the dip stick, I went to re torque the head to specs and the bolts did not budge, I tried to back them off a 1/4 turn and the bolts would not budge. So I closed her up to consult the experts……What do you think? need more info?Thanks Mark Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/15375-what-is-my-next-step/#findComment-117625 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 21, 200519 yr comment_117628 Well, how bad is the oil leak down the side of the block? I drove a 240Z with what I call a minor seep at that area for 2 or 3 years without any problems. (I just wiped the area clean periodically and kept an eye on it) I could have driven it further, but due to an accident and the need to switch all my "goodies" to another chassis, I had the time to rebuild the head and replace the head gasket.How hard did you try to loosen the head bolts? They are torqued to 60 lbs/ft and have been subjected to countless heat/cooling cycles. Sometimes it takes some strong effort to start them to loosening.PS, That area is where an oil passage goes up into the cylinder head to supply oil to the top-end of the engine. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/15375-what-is-my-next-step/#findComment-117628 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 21, 200519 yr Author comment_117631 Roger that....I set my torque wrench to 55lbs/ft, I did not want to push it due to history of the car. I suspect it has been leaking for a while do to the build up and if the head was done 30K back they probably did not use new bolts over torque them exceeding the yield strength and did not re-torque them as required. BUT who knows….I think I will just drive it and see what happens… BTW under the valve cover was not too bad, some typical build up but no real sludge issues. Thanks Capt Mark Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/15375-what-is-my-next-step/#findComment-117631 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 21, 200519 yr comment_117641 Yeah, Lot's of guys don't replace the head bolts, but I would strongly recommend that you do so, whenever you decide to pull the head next. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/15375-what-is-my-next-step/#findComment-117641 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 21, 200519 yr comment_117648 I agree with bambi about replacing the bolts when you pull the head . Have you done a compression check ? Have you noticed any oil in the coolent or water in the oil ? If all three are good I wouldent pull the head unless the oil leak is sugnificant. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/15375-what-is-my-next-step/#findComment-117648 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 21, 200519 yr comment_117662 When you do replace the head bolts I would recommend using an air impact wrench to loosten the bolts. If they are by chance rusted in place you might break one removing it. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/15375-what-is-my-next-step/#findComment-117662 Share on other sites More sharing options...
March 21, 200519 yr Author comment_117702 Carl......New head bolts are on the list......Beandip......Oil is clean, I need to do a compression check ASAPEd......I am sure they are rusted in...thanks for the air impact tipI think I will drive it till the rainy season (summer) I have mostof the suspension parts to do as well........Thanks for the input.....Mark Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/15375-what-is-my-next-step/#findComment-117702 Share on other sites More sharing options...
April 18, 200519 yr Author comment_120899 I have continued to drive it and power has stayed about the same....Got a compression tester today and did a compression test today and it is all over the place......#1 = 153 psi#2 = 155 psi#3 = 150 psi <------head leaking here#4 = 151 psi#5 = 162 psi#6 = 160 psiWhat should the approx range be, L24 w/ and E88? I could not findany specs in the books or on the net......Thanks again for your help.....Capt Mark Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/15375-what-is-my-next-step/#findComment-120899 Share on other sites More sharing options...
April 18, 200519 yr comment_120903 are you kidding?? those are *good* numbers for an engine with a LOT of miles one them...are you getting oil consumption? did you do the compression test correctly on a hot engine with no sparkplugs and throttle wide open?those numbers are only +/-10 PSI which isnt bad at all.stock is about 170psi. ive got 185 cause i've bored the engine out and shaved the head and decked the block.... Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/15375-what-is-my-next-step/#findComment-120903 Share on other sites More sharing options...
April 18, 200519 yr comment_120909 The L24's (in good "no complaints" condition) that I've checked typically have about 155-165 or better, even with 125,000+ miles on them. Nissan Factory Spec (Page ET-4 of my Nissan L20A/L24 Engine Manual) is 171 to 185 lb/sq in @ 300-400 RPM** if you have the later version of E88 head, factory spec might be a bit lower.EDIT: Nope, even the 73 FSM still quotes 171 to 185 lbs/sq. in. and 73 HLS30-U's came withthe smogged "late" E88 head. Link to comment https://www.classiczcars.com/forums/topic/15375-what-is-my-next-step/#findComment-120909 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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