Hey all. I have beed working on my 86 camaro. I have a 350 .060 flat tops, 2.02's alum. with a mild cam. I took it down the road today. When I got on it, it blew the oil cap off. Will a blown head gasket create that kind of internal pressure? My oil dipstick was also about 3 inches out. Never seen anything like this. Any one out there seen this before?

 

How is your PCV system?

 

It all depends on a couple of things. Does it have new rings in it if not it could worn out rings letting the compression by into crank case. Do you just have one breather on valve covers and do you have a pcv valve?

 

The engine itself has roughly 500 miles on it. I did put a pcv on it. I pulled the oil cap off while it was running and it was under pressure. I did notice bubbling around one head stud nut.

 

OK well you will have to investigate the bubbles. Are they oil bubbles or anti freeze bubbles?

 

Appears to be antifreeze. I dont seem to get any moisture from the exhaust. I have had to put water in it, but I figure it's just air and what not in the cooling system. I don't have water in the oil.

 

With a new engine their will be some blowby, but sounds like you have alot. Do a compression test on all cylinders.

 

I ran a compression check a few weeks ago and was running 205-210 per cylinder. I'll go back and re-check Thursday. I'll post the results. Thanks.

 

OK. I just finished running a comp. check. All cylinders are 175 except #3 is 170. Can excessive blow-by cause this?

 

OK,
I just finished running it. I put vent cap back on and left the pcv off. Runs great, but now my valve covers and maybe oil pan leak. WTF ??? Anyhow, if this is blow by, I guess its block time. I'm already at 60 over.

 

Those comp numbers are good for a carb. My engine didnt start pushing the dipstick out till 50. The pressure you had earlier could have trash your oil pan gasket.

 

 

Ssshhhhh! I'm hoping it's just the valve covers. I have no room to get the pan gasket with lifting the motor so far, might as well pull it. Don't wanna do that.

 

Well, here's where I am. I took off the PCV valve and replaced it with a breather. No more pressure. I'm not losing water, and with the good compression, I'm not concerned about head gaskets. I think its time to go play. ya'll have a good one.