Hello, I'm a newbie to this forum and just bought myself a "FrankenTruck," which in my case is a 1967 C-10 with an 80's era fiberglass step-side bed, an L98 ('89 or '90?) engine, and the front-end of a 1981 C-10. Anyway, it's been difficult figuring everything out on this truck (but that's half the fun, right?). I know I'll be on the forum often and looking for help. I appreciate your assistance and look forward to learning more as I upgrade and fix things on this monster. I'll also make sure to hit the "stickies" and other threads for answers before I start rapid-firing them off to the group.

For my current issue, I'm planning on changing out the plugs when I do my next oil change. In order to get better access to the plugs I plan to unbolt the exhaust headers from the exhaust manifold. Does anyone have a good reference for the torque specs on those header bolts? The closest I found was on a Corvette forum which said 20 ft lbs. Anyone have a better reference for those specs? Thanks!


The Beast

L98?

Exhaust Headers

 

Get a socket like this and don't disturb the old header gasket. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tfs-90500

I can swap a set of plugs in about 20 minutes with this thing.

 

Great idea...thanks! I think I can get some of those at Harbor Freight tomorrow.

https://www.harborfreight.com/sae-me...-pc-62305.html

 

OK, so I was able to swap the plugs out without any issues, thanks 350Iroc89 for the pass through socket idea…worked like a charm.

Now on to a bit of a concern. While plugs weren’t completely fouled, many had some small oil fouling at the end. I know I’ve got a couple of leaky Valve cover gaskets and hope that’s all it is. Any other thoughts on that? Bad rings maybe?

 

Valve seals are more likely. Does it make a blue smoke puff when you first start it? If yes then it's almost completely positive the valve seals are bad

 

I’ll get my son to start it and check out the tailpipes next time. I haven’t noticed it from the cab when starting it up but haven’t really been looking for it. I do know it goes through a bit of oil and every two or three tanks of gas I have to add about half a quart…

 

My plugs were fouling like that too to the point where it ran like crap. It would also puff smoke on a warm start up. I changed all the valve seals. It was not a fun job but it will probably be easier in a C-10 than an F-body.

 

Yeah, I definitely have more room in the engine compartment to do that…still a pain in the ***. I’ll check it out and give you update on what I find. Thanks again for the help and suggestions…