The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Head gasket

Was getting the 46 ready for spring, and maybe enjoy it a little now that I'm retired and noticed the dreadful milky color oil on the dip stick. Started to brush up on getting ready to pull the head to change the head gasket and noticed a few things of concern. Do you have to put a new line on that goes to the rocker shaft, or can you reuse the old one, and do you need to pump up the oil to the rocker shafts with a drill? I'm rusty on all this as I use to watch my Dad work on these years ago, but forgot a lot of tricks. Any good pointers is appreciated.

So pretty much you will need to remove the side cover when removing the head. That is so you can install a new side cover gasket. You will need to undo the oil line, at the fitting under the rocker arm. The line is one piece from that fitting, all the way through the block to the oil valve on the other side of the block. There would be no need to replace it unless you want to.

Yes, you need to pump the oil through the block until you have oil to all the rockers

Why are you changing the head gasket, is there an issue you didn't mention? Milky oil on the dip stick could just be condensation from sitting, when was the last time it ran?

Mike B

I agree with Mike B, condensation is a big problem if it's been sitting in an uncontrolled environment. Drive it until the engine is warmed up, change the oil and filter if it has one, then keep an eye on it through the summer and see if it still has milky oil.

Yes i understand the condensation part, I drained the oil and filter and the filter was full with about a half cup of anti freeze.it is a shame the truck has sat as much as it has ,only has 32,000 and some change on it. it never has been overheated, and I ran it last fall a little bit and it seemed fine. Do you just pull the distributor to get the oil to the rockers? I don't see the purpose as it sits all winter and then starts with no problem getting oil to the rocker shafts. Jim

If the oil filter had antifreeze in it then you have a problem that should be addressed before you try to start the engine. The only way antifreeze can get into the filter is while the engine is running, so prior to last Fall something major happened.

How much antifreeze came out of the oil pan when you changed the oil???

Mike B

Mike, Not much came out of the pan. I seen maybe what looked like 2-3 drops then, oil ,of course the oil was very milky, but did turn darker as it settled. The larger amount was when I took the plug out of the filter. Also forgot to mention, the anti freeze level in radiator was not low at all, maybe a little gone Jim

larr991 Well that's a tricky situation for you,Another danger with antifreeze in your oil is it will ruin your cam and bearings. Maybe do an oil change with ZDDP or use 15/40 (has ZDDP )then watch it,your in a cold climate with more chance for condensed water. Look at your plugs for clues,If you don,t have a miss head gasket may be OK. If your side cover bolts are not real tight you might be able to just leave that side gasket in place and re-use it. same on that oil line,best to prime it but everything is oily so would't have to. Have to deal with your spark plug cork gaskets if they fall out, GOOD LUCK !!!

If you are absolutely sure what you are seeing in the filter oil is green antifreeze don’t run the engine anymore until you find the cause. Do a compression check including a leak down test. Get a radiator pressure checker and see if pressure hold or fades away rapidly. Testing will tell you if you have a bad head gasket or cracked head. Good luck.

Note: I just reread your initial post. You have a zero pressure cooling system so you Must isolate the radiator and heater to do any type of pressure test on the block or you will pop the seams on the radiator and heater cores. Compression test will probably tell you what you need to know.

So the oil line for the rockers goes through the block and up under the side cover. If the solder joint on the block fitting fails, antifreeze will flow into the side cover area and into the pan. I would definitely look at that. It may only leak when the engine warms up .

Ok, thanks I will do that. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the replies. This is a great bunch of people , and a great site! Just kind of twisted on what failed, but will look at everything Keep the replies coming, Jim

Larr99 1 Another thought...if you find it's a leaker,they used to use the OLD egg preserver trick,water glass was used to coat eggs to make them last longer. Mechanics learned to fix cracked blocks by giving it a sealing with egg preserver,this would beon no pressure systems like yours,was just temporary !! But would get you by till you could do somrthing else !!

crack repair

Sodium silicate(water glass) did not stand up to the use of antifreeze in my GMC big block six!

Ed

Ed Pruss That waterglass treatment was just a getby couldn't handle anti-freeze maybe old-time alcohol,a depression era treatment !!