Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

Just to be sure, you're using a new head gasket, correct? They cannot be reused one torqued down. I always coat both sides of the gasket with aerosol Coppercoat too.

I can only guess from here, but my guess is that you had a head gasket issue, perhaps related to a problem with a bolt too long, the gasket itself, or some flaw in the head or block that failed to seal.
Proper, 3-stage correct torquing in the proper sequence followed by proper re-torquing is essential.

If your engine has head studs, it is essential that all rust or gasket debris be removed from around them, right up to the stud itself. In the case of bolts, they need to be in good condition and the bolt holes must be clean clear to the bottom of blind holes and sealer needs to be used on any bolts or stud threads that go into holes that reach the water jacket. Usually, at least some of them do.

I did use a inspection camera / borescope in the water passages and in the intake and exhaust on the side of the block. They can be deceiving if you have not used one inside an engine. I have used them a lot at Caterpillar on engines and some what knew what to expect. What I saw most was the white residue from the block sealer and lots of areas with stalactites.

Shouldn't be obstructions of any sort in the water passageways so was it boiled out and thoroughly flushed during the rebuild? This can be done only with the water distribution tube removed so as to not damage it from the strong chemicals used in such a dip which should have removed any stalactites.

As for the head torquing, I'm not sure how it's done on diesel engines but on a Packard and probably most other flat heads, it's done in a specific pattern from the center outward to each end. The manuals show the torquing chart for reference.

"If" Slatewood's problem was head gasket related, that would mean that the water jacket leaked to a head stud and down the head stud into the crankcase, but not into a cylinder as he didn't have any white smoke. While I'm sure it's possible, it just doesn't seem probable to me, and that something else was/is the problem.

At this point considering everything that's been reported I can only guess that there was a small leak in the block that is now sealed.

Slatewood, we'll be praying to the Packard god's that when you put it back together, everything is okay! I'm sure you don't want another round of this craziness! Time to get your car on the road!!!

What's the latest??? Do you have good news to report?

A head gasket leak could allow coolant into the crankcase. Such leaks can be very tricky. It may be that the gasket would seep when the engine was cold, and stop leaking as soon as it started due to expansion of parts. Water leaking into the cylinder could get past the rings and into the crankcase, preventing any abnormal steam at the exhaust or significant mis-firing. Very small amounts of water in the crankcase can be due to normal condensation, especially if an engine is not run much or if it runs cold.

Sorry I had not looked here for a week or so. I have the engine back together and on my test stand with out a ton of detail I have ran it for 35 to 40 minutes at different speeds then let it set overnight." I measured the water level when I filled it before running it and got the air out." The next morning after running it measured the water level and it was down 5/8 of a inch. Just going out to check for water in the oil pan after letting it set another day. I will do a update later Today.

Hopefully the the drop in water level is just from cooling and not internal leaking! Looking forward to hearing good news later today!