[DeTomaso] Cylinder Heads leaking

[Mike Drew]

Sean,

This is a VERY common problem. Your intake manifold gasket has failed and is leaking on the bottom edge, allowing oil to be sucked from the valley under the intake into one or more cylinders. 

Many people have made the mistake of using Fel-Pro 'Print-o-seal' intake gaskets. These things are notorious for failing; so much so that you can find numerous references to them on Internet forums for all sorts of cars, where they are commonly called 'Print-o-leak' gaskets!

I happen to favor the stock-style valley pan gasket, Fel pro MS96012. If you follow the installation instructions to the letter, these seal fine with the added advantage of cooling the underside of the intake by shielding it from oil splash. 

There is a story with photos about this chronic problem in a recent PCNC newsletter; you can read it by accessing the website at www.panteraclubnorcal.com

I've helped repair two local cars with this problem in the past few months and know of a third that is awaiting repair....

Mike



Sent from my iPhone

On Nov 20, 2015, at 15:42, sean mundy <seanmundy at hotmail.com> wrote:

>    After a long hiatus, I am back working on my Pantera.  Latest issue is
>   the engine is burning oil at about a quart every 300 miles.
>   My spark plugs don't look horrible but something is going on.  I re
>   torqued the cylinder heads and intake manifold and made sure my pc
>   valve was working.  I looked at my intake valves with an
>   inspection camera and there is a lot of carbon buildup but I only have
>   about 2k miles on the new aluminum heads.  I thought my valve seals may
>   be leaking so I started removing the rockers on one side and tried to
>   replace the Teflon valve seals on #8cyl with new Comp Cam Viton seals.
>   I connected compressed air to the #8 spark plug hole to hold the valve
>   up so I could remove the spring.   I don't think you are supposed to
>   but I can hear air leaking from somewhere inside the engine.  It seems
>   like I can feel a little air coming out of the top of the intake
>   manifold with my carb removed.  I can't trace the air leak.
>   Need some tips on what steps I should take at this point.  Thanks, Sean
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