Thankfully, I have never considered myself a mechanic! Each mistake I learn from gets me just a bit smarter at least!!
What I thought could only be a head gasket problem turned out to be my own lack of knowledge.
Until yesterday, I had no idea that when you get a block bored, you have to scrub the thing afterwards. Yep, clean it very well to remove all the metal shavings/ residue left in the cylinders. Turns out, if you neglect to do this, you destroy the brand new rings you were stupid enough to install. Live and learn!! I'm sure you all know this already but I didn't! So, now I have crap tons of oil blowing by my rings and burning up in the exhaust, or not... Maybe just hanging out making a mess of things.



So, next step, pull it all apart and install new rings. At least I have been smart enough to not get the thing painted while I still have so much messy learning to do!
Hope everyone had a great Christmas!!!

condensation is a normal byproduct of combustion, moisture out the tailpipe does not indicate a leaking head gasket. Did you run the engine long enough to break in the rings?

That's bullshit. Everytime I've had a block bored at the machine shop, it came perfectly clean and wrapped in plastic, ready for reassembly. They hot tank it and clean it with detergent, then give it a light oil mist so it does not rust. All I do is spray it down with brake clean and a lint free rag, and it's good to go. I guess it depends on the machine shop!

Yeah Al - I'd go back to your machine shop and have a word. It should have turned up ready to go.... Not with a bunch of stuff left around it that needs cleaning. At least I'd expect a new set of rings .... But (given what you're doing with this build) I'd probably yank out the block and send it to them for a complete flush out and reassemble at their expense.

New rings are on the way.
Since it has been so long since I picked up the block I can't see myself going back now. live and learn !!

Allen,
Your build is just incredible.
It's also great to save one more of these beautiful cars.
Tom L.

Thanks Tom!
It's been rewarding even when I mess up or run into issues!
With some holiday time off and new rings not expected until Saturday, I have gotten back to working on my air box, among other things. I am attempting to make something that looks like it came on the car so it will be embossed and look as much like cast aluminum as I can get it.



Happy New Year to all!!

Starting to look like I imagined...

we thoroughly wash every block we get back, that's just part of the assembly process.

So Cal Mark wrote:we thoroughly wash every block we get back, that's just part of the assembly process.

Thanks Mark! Obviously, it is now part of my assembly process as well. Sometimes learning from mistakes is the only way.

> I'd go back to your machine shop and have a word. It should have turned up ready to go...

None of the shops I've used in the past cleaned the cylinders, I always had to do it. Likely they'd do it if one asked, however I'd rather do it myself to be sure it's done right. Takes me about an hour with a water hose and dish soap to do all 4 bores.

I've learned, and will scrub the bores myself from here on out.
Meanwhile, this is what I have ended up with for a plenum.



Maybe I should rub some oil and dirt into the corners to make it look older?

Looks great!!

I am always amazed at the talent on this site!!! Looks incredible!

Thanks guys!
And Pat, I can't agree more! I have seen so much innovative thinking and "go get it" attitude amongst us!