Ok, this should be a fairly simple answer for someone I hope... When I first built my motor I followed the arp head stud info and retorqued them after 1 heat cycle as noted for stretching. Since that time I pulled the head off and put a new head gasket on... Ive been running the head gasket for about 1000 miles and my head gasket has sprung a small coolant leak. In cylinder 1 i have a very small amount of condesation buildup and on startup I get white smoke. Did I need to retorque the head bolts after another heat cycle since I pulled the head and thats most likely why i have a small leak? Im going to pull the head back off and put a new head gasket on there unless retorquing the studs would fix my leak...


EDIT: I run a compression test everytime I get in the car since the first time I turned it over... I consistently have been getting 185 across the board and after the leak started, I still get the SAME numbers... I also have no coolant in the oil and no oil in the coolant... But there is definently coolant in cylinder 1.. 2-3 drops worth.. Anyone?

 

Guys, I would appreciate a reply of any kind quite honestly....


I initially figured I had blown the gasket with the smoking issue I had..(I drive the car once every week or so and am meticulous about everything considering the money spent on the engine could literally buy me a s2000 or something nicer.) It only smoked on one startup after i went into a store for a minute. Once I got it home I checked to find the condensation I mentioned before. I also did the compression test as I mentioned and it stayed consistent... I assumed the gasket was gone up until that point and I deduced it was reasonable to say the head lifted considering the amount of boost I am running and maybe the arp head studs just need a retorquing... Ive yet to have time to tighten the studs or pull the head if needed.


So, what are the internet FI gurus opinions on the matter?

 

Retorque the head studs. In addition I would make sure the studs are tight as well. Ive had 2 of my studs come loose while the nut was torqued down to the proper specs and even retorqued like you did. I have no idea how a stud can loosen up while in tension, they arent supposed to but 2 of them did. I also had a small coolant leak. I wasnt burning coolant but I was pressurizing the coolant system and almost overheated.

After I retorqued the studs I was fine. No more overheating and the head gasket was not replaced.

 

Thanks for the reply.... I guess I will try retorqueing them down before i pull the head... Any advice on getting the coolant out w/o blowing it out the back?


I never mentioned it, but I am running 17psi on a h22a with a T-60... So, lets say head lift is reasonable when it comes down to it...