Vortec Intake Oil Leak

[mrweelr]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

OK, I finally got this fixed. Looks like I forgot to plug the (4) inner holes in the Vortecs before bolting the intake on :banghead: I cleaned all (8) of those holes out and closed them with Allen plugs and JB Weld. Truck was put back together today and I'm going to set the timing and take it for a spin tomorrow. I don't even know how it ran with those four gaping holes into the lifter valley. What a rookie mistake...doh.

 

[MRKING]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

could oil be coming through the allen head plugs in the heads?

at least you know what im talking about now . :lol:

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

I had to plug more than 4 holes with my vortec setup. Sure it's only 4? Mine were from RPM too.

 

[NecroWolf]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

you need to plug all 8 vortec intake bolt holes.

 

[TYTILIDIE]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

Damn that port work looks tits!! Glad you got it figured out.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

Prob didn't need to do the other 4 but I thought what the hell

 

[mrweelr]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

Yeah, I plugged all 8. The four outer ones were already plugged, but I forgot the inners. They have Allen plugs and JB Weld in them now so they won't leak anything. So I spent two days reassembling meticulously and was buttoning the truck up anxious to fire it up and finally drive it again. As soon as I poured anti-freeze and distilled water into the radiator, it started dripping onto the floor under the engine...WTF? So I look at the front right of the intake and I guess 35 lb. ft. of torque like the manual specifies was too much and cracked the MF intake!

So I spent the rest of the day undoing all of the work I had done, cleaning everything up, chasing threads, etc. Going to get a hold of Mike to see what my options are, but I doubt something like that can be welded. It actually cracked the water passage...so lame. I swear, God doesn't want me to drive this truck. I was planning on taking it to Infineon Wednesday night and busting out my first 10, but I guess it's not in the cards.

Going to have to shell out for another welded/ported/polished lower intake, I suppose...bah

 

[MRKING]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

Mike repaired my old intake like that , same exact thing . It was very reasonable priced and looked like new.

 

[mrweelr]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

You think welding it would hold up? The crack went through along the inside of the water passage. I'm skeptical. I guess I'm not the only one who's broken their intake in that spot.

http://www.syty.net/forums/showthread.php?t=5107&highlight=cracked+intake

I just don't get it since I used a torque wrench and put 35 lb. ft. on every fastener. I'm going to go real easy on that bolt when I put it back together...argh

 

[Big Mike]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

I have had a small block chevy intake worse than that, it can be repaired.

 

[Don W.]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

Hi Jeremy,

Seems we're both having our troubles. Anyway, I think that manifold can be fixed. Take it to a good head shop experienced with alum heads and I bet they can repair it. While there have them check all surfaces for proper alignment. 35lbs is the correct torque but if the manifold and heads are not parallel you might have this. Also and very important on reassembly set the manifold on the heads with the gaskets (but without the RTV) and check that it fits AND that the gap between the block and manifold is even and the clearance is between 0.060 and 0.120. Otherwise, and this is what I think may be your issue, the manifold hits the block first and you'll get a crack like this.

Sorry for the ramble but LMK what happens.

Good luck

 

[mrweelr]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

Mike is going to weld it up for me. Shipping it to RPM today. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[Don W.]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

Mike is going to weld it up for me. Shipping it to RPM today. Thanks for the help guys.

Good plan. Don't forget to make the checks I mentioned on reassembly.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

Looks like there was space under there to bend and snap it. Using same gaskets? Sorry to have that happen. Reminds me of my water pump saga. Good luck!

 

[mrweelr]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

No space underneath, but the intake overlaps a bit in that section, I believe. Going to be real careful with that bolt when I put it back together. This truck is just begging to be driven...agh.

 

[Richard Le]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

I cleaned all (8) of those holes out and closed them with Allen plugs and JB Weld.

I'm thinking about plugging mine with stainless steel allen plugs. Any downside to using stainless steel as opposed to regular steel?

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

Nope.

 

[mrweelr]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

I got the intake back from RPM and took it to Component Finishing to have it powdercoated with the chrome look stuff. Should have it back together next weekend...better not leak this time, agh.

 

[mrweelr]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

The intake is back from Component Finishing. They powdercoated the top and bottom, it looks real nice. Going to put it back together this weekend and hope the MF doesn't leak again. This little ordeal set me back another $350. Money simply vaporizes with this truck.

 

[mrweelr]

Re: Vortec Intake Oil Leak

Update: the Sy is fixed and not leaking a drop of anything. I drove it for 45 minutes tonight and it was a great feeling cruising around in the Sy again She runs super strong at only 15.5psi with 100 octane...I can't imagine what it's going to be capable of at 20+ psi with meth spray. Going to take it to the track in a few weeks and see if I can bust into the 10s and get kicked out LOL.