Re: 1948 288 Engine Head Refurbish

Posted by 50 2382 On 2017/9/23 12:00:01

Well, my 288 rebuild taught me a lot.

Use copper sealant if you use a copper gasket. I didn't the first time and when I filled the engine with coolant it immediately leaked into the cylinders and ruined my 1st rebuild. Copper sealant will fill the slight imperfections in the head and block.

Make real sure you don't have a crack in the block. Use magnaflux or some other dye to check. My first block didn't reveal its ugly cracks until after my machine shop cleaned the block. We found a crack from an exhaust valve seat all the way into and down the adjoining cylinder. Garbage, so different block.

If you have the engine out run it on a test stand before you install it. This will give you the opportunity to break in the rings and cam (if it is new) then you can tune it and adjust the valves hot. (no crawling under the car to make the adjustments with the engine running).

Good luck!