Link to LS1Tech

 

I've been running TEA ported 317s with SS o-rings in the heads,ARP studs and graphite head gaskets for the past 3 years with no problems.They claimed to have run 20lbs of boost with the same setup on their Corvette racecar.

 

Looks like the heads are lifting. The bolt pattern does not apply much clamping force in the area where the gaskets are giving out, if there is not much materal on deck the heat and pressure will find the easiest way out. On my drag boat (bbc) I ran into a simular problem with a small amount of blow by. The remedy was to add a 5th headstud in the lifter valley to increase the clamp load on the deck.

 

I agree with the lifting problem from the head deck thickness. I just can't figure out why hundreds others aren't having problems. I had 13lbs on my 4.8 and no issues with factory MLS's.

 

Knowing you, you didnt retorque them, and why not over tq them by 10ft-lbs like most having problems like you are.

 

we torque'd my head studs to 85ftlbs using 30w oil

 

arp called for 65lbs with their lube and 80 (or 85 can't remember) with 30w oil. I torqued them to 70lbs with arp moly lube. I spot checked the few studs I could get to after a couple heat cycles with the engine warm and none of them budged at 70lbs. I just got done double checking the head and deck surfaces with straight edge and they are flat.

 

Im glad to see you sobered up and pulled the heads!

 

Yeah, but the results weren't conducive to keeping the turbo. ****, I dunno. It would be so easy to put some MLS's back on it with the orings like everyone says and overtorque the **** out of them. That would still be easy. Auuuuuuuuugh! But I want to be done with it! Auuuuuuuuuugh!

I'm having a meeting with Dos XX tonight. Maybe he could add some insight.

 

I use Cometic MLS head gaskets with ARP studs. I torqued them down, using their lube, to 70 ft/lbs. My heads lifted with 11lbs of boost. Retorqued them to 80 and haven't had any problems since.