Cracked Head?

[bee71]

After noticing puffs of oil smoke coming from the passenger side exhaust manifold I replaced the worn valve cover gasket with a new Fel-Pro one. I cleaned the cover and all the surface areas on the head. I'm still getting puffs of smoke from a drip at the #6 piston area. I had some muffler people replace the exhaust gasket and am wondering if they cracked the head. The engine seems to be running ok,no new noises or drop in performance. Could an engine still run ok with a cracked head? I know that only a complete teardown and inspection is the true course of action but I thought I'd ask for some other thoughts. Thanks.

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have found that when using stock valve covers, you have to use sealant on the lower 1/2 of the valve cover gasket otherwise it will leak.

 

[cr8crshr]

Get a set of these and swap them out with the ones you have. Follow the suggested steps when sealing them. Granted I have the aftermarket MOPAR Cast Valve Covers and 440Source Aluminum Heads but they will also work for the stock valve covers. I had a recurrent leak on numbers 8 and 7 that would run down and burn on the exhaust. After swapping out the gaskets, I have not had a single drip occur since. A little pricy but for the added peace of mind, worth the expense. Give them a try and then let us know your outcome...cr8crshr/Tuck:blob1:

http://www.manciniracing.com/suvacoga36.html

 

[Banzaiii67]

Get a set of these and swap them out with the ones you have. Follow the suggested steps when sealing them. Granted I have the aftermarket MOPAR Cast Valve Covers and 440Source Aluminum Heads but they will also work for the stock valve covers. I had a recurrent leak on numbers 8 and 7 that would run down and burn on the exhaust. After swapping out the gaskets, I have not had a single drip occur since. A little pricy but for the added peace of mind, worth the expense. Give them a try and then us know...cr8crshr/Tuck:blob1:

http://www.manciniracing.com/suvacoga36.html

I have used these, and found these magnum valve covers are identical the to the Carbon X's and they are 1/3 of the price.

Same prep and use black RTV on the head to gasket surface

http://www.amazon.com/Magnum-VS25108-Valve-Cover-Gasket/dp/B007VYHUHE

 

[khryslerkid]

What's the drip, water or oil ???

 

[bee71]

It is oil. Just spotty once in a while drips that fall on the #4 and 6 exhaust manifold close to the head. Does it a couple of times after the engine is shut off.

 

[dvw]

You just have a valve cover leak. If the head was cracked it would be leaking water not oil. A straight cover, not over torqued will seal with a small amount of RTV on a clen surface. A nut driver will provide more than enough torque on the fastener. Leaks I've seen are from over torqued bent covers or a dirty surface. You want the RTV to adhere to the metal, not just fill the gap. 1/8" bead is plenty. Even my stock valve cover 440 builds don't leak a drop.
Dug

 

[WileE]

A common problem. The oil pools there, and seeps out.

 

[bee71]

Again thanks to all.