Bought a reman engine from a seller on eBay and after first start up the head started bubbling out from underneath the head where it mates up against the block. Contacted seller and he told me the guides were probably interfering and holding it up. Told me to torque to 60ft lbs and it still leaked. I know the book says 49. Then he tells me he is sorry that I might try to get another gasket and seal it without the guides. So I did this and when I opened it up their was paint from when they painted the block and head on both surfaces, I cleaned off the surfaces, put a straight edge on the block to check clearance and buttoned it back up with new bolts. Still leaks, bubbles out of the front of engine...small amounts and forms a drip. What should I do at this point? This is my first reman engine and I wrench in all my own cars. I have the book and torque everything to spec. Is their anything else I can try? Seller told me block and head were milled to straitness. Besides the leak, my compression system s good and the motor sounds fine. Thanks

 

You only use the precision straight edge on the block and not the head? And you removed the dowels upon re-install?

You should have also checked the head for straightness to be sure. And you have to have the dowels to keep the head in placed or it will move around during operation. The head bolts won't keep the head from sliding around, they only keep it clamped down to the block.

I think I would have the head pressure tested to make sure it's not cracked.