How leaky are new FE blocks?

[Dimis]

Ok it stands to reason that most 50 year old blocks are going to be prone to leaking. But my question is how leaky is/are the new FE blocks on offer from the 3 major suppliers?
Ie: Shelby, Pond, & Genesis

Surly a new alu or iron fe can be built to be leak proof. No?
Or am I to believe that even to this day, this is not possible?

Fe guys share your experiences.

Thx

[ERA Chas]

Don't confuse 'leaking' with porosity. ANY FE (original or new) needs the correct assembly procedures and latest gasket and RTV technology and it will NOT leak. I can't speak for porosity issues in the 3 mentioned but have not experienced nor learned of any in original blocks. I had seen where some Dove blocks and heads had oil porosity issues in the past.
Careful assembly in the rear main cap area, pan, intake and head surfaces assures that both types will not leak.
Barry, Keith, Brent and other specialists can give good advice. I'm tired of the wives tales that all FEs must leak. Those that do ignored the best assembly practices.

[blykins]

If not built correctly, an FE (new or old block) can leak in several different spots. The whole engine is a unique design, with the intake making up part of the valve cover flange. If the intake is not perfectly aligned, then you will get a valve cover leak.

If certain intake gaskets are used, then it's possible to get a coolant leak into the heads.

The rear main seal is also a trouble spot as there are two seal halves, along with side seals, since the block is a skirted design. Different windage trays and oil pans can also play havoc here as they block the return in the rear main cap.

All of these things need to be watched carefully upon assembly. Otherwise it's smooth sailing.

[RodKnock]

I don't build engines, but I've owed many.

I'll disagree with my esteemed colleagues. They will all leak. It's just a matter of time.

As the character Red said in Shawshank Redemption: "Geology is the study of pressure and time. That's all it takes really, pressure, and time."

Just substitute "Engine Leaks" for "Geology". Pressure and time. That's all it takes. Poor engine assembly habits just help matters.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I don't build engines, but I've owed many.

I'll disagree with my esteemed colleagues. They will all leak. It's just a matter of time.

As the character Red said in Shawshank Redemption: "Geology is the study of pressure and time. That's all it takes really, pressure, and time."

Just substitute "Engine Leaks" for "Geology". Pressure and time. That's all it takes. Poor engine assembly habits just help matters.

C'mon pal! You can give better evidence than geology tales.
You've got a 482 Lucas Pond right? Does it leak? Of course you don't know from actually running it-but does it leak while standing immobile for the last 5 years???

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

C'mon pal! You can give better evidence than geology tales.
You've got a 482 Lucas Pond right? Does it leak? Of course you don't know from actually running it-but does it leak while standing immobile for the last 5 years???

Last time I checked, during the Napoleonic Wars, my engine was not leaking. I have a Shelby aluminum block, why thank you. But then I don't drive my car much.

Heat, pressure, vacuum, gaskets, imperfect mating surfaces, imperfect roads (i.e., potholes), etc. Sounds like a recipe for leaks to me.

Patrick, did you forget your signoff on every post of yours?

".....but then again, what do I know, I have two roll bars."

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

I have a Shelby aluminum block, why thank you. But then I don't drive my car much.

Then you need my Shelby aluminum heads to go nowhere even faster...

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Patrick, did you forget your signoff on every post of yours?

".....but then again, what do I know, I have two roll bars."

No doubt like some of your fondest memories, that was a "one time thing, never to be repeated."

[patrickt]

I have spent the last five years finding and fixing oil leaks on my FE. It has never really leaked much -- a few drips really. No matter where the origin of the leak was, it always trailed to the back of the block and dripped down from there on to the block plate and down -- I think all FE oil leaks try and look like a rear seal leak. I leaked from the intake manifold, the valve covers, the "spot" where the IM, head, and vavle cover all converges, and that little plate that goes over the hole on the back of the IM where the breather would go, if I had one. I leaked from other places too, I just can't remember them now. What makes it so difficult is that the leaks were "misting leaks," but they add up and eventually cause a drip. But after five years my car can now be run hard and put away and not drip a drop for weeks or even months (my last drip was about two months ago). It can be done... it just takes time.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by patrickt

But after five years my car can now be run hard and put away and not drip a drop for weeks or even months (my last drip was about two months ago). It can be done... it just takes time.

What "can be done"? It still drips, just takes a month or two. Bottom line.....it leaks fluid whether mist or drops.

Anyway, I didn't think 428's could be run hard. No?

Chas, you know what I need. And it ain't Shelby aluminum heads, but it's very lightweight, round, mounted with rubber on it and will turn color with age.

No, not Patrick swinging from a tire swing.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

... and will turn color with age.

No, not Patrick swinging from a tire swing.

Uhhh, I did spend a good bit of time working on my tan this past summer.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Chas, you know what I need. And it ain't Shelby aluminum heads, but it's very lightweight, round, mounted with rubber on it and will turn color with age.

Like to help you but ever since Ron told us to "STFU" about them, we can't talk about them...

[Dons427]

Originally Posted by patrickt

I have spent the last five years finding and fixing oil leaks on my FE. It has never really leaked much -- a few drips really. No matter where the origin of the leak was, it always trailed to the back of the block and dripped down from there on to the block plate and down -- I think all FE oil leaks try and look like a rear seal leak. I leaked from the intake manifold, the valve covers, the "spot" where the IM, head, and vavle cover all converges, and that little plate that goes over the hole on the back of the IM where the breather would go, if I had one. I leaked from other places too, I just can't remember them now. What makes it so difficult is that the leaks were "misting leaks," but they add up and eventually cause a drip. But after five years my car can now be run hard and put away and not drip a drop for weeks or even months (my last drip was about two months ago). It can be done... it just takes time.

I have owned 2 428 FE's in the past 5 years and I live in the northeast.
I always get a coolant leak in the area of the water pump.
It has to do with the cold temps.
Royal Pain in the A__
The leaks do not need to be fixed.
Usually just spring temps fis it.

[donnieR32]

Originally Posted by Dons427

I have owned 2 428 FE's in the past 5 years and I live in the northeast.
I always get a coolant leak in the area of the water pump.
It has to do with the cold temps.
Royal Pain in the A__
The leaks do not need to be fixed.
Usually just spring temps fis it.

This makes me feel better. I got my 428FE last week and went on a 40 mile cruise. It was a bit cooler hear (mid 50's) and when I got home there was some dripping from under the radiator. After about 1 hour it was pretty much done. Does this sound similar to what you experience up in CT? P.S. I'm originally from Willington, CT.

[Dons427]

Originally Posted by blykins

If not built correctly, an FE (new or old block) can leak in several different spots. The whole engine is a unique design, with the intake making up part of the valve cover flange. If the intake is not perfectly aligned, then you will get a valve cover leak.

If certain intake gaskets are used, then it's possible to get a coolant leak into the heads.

The rear main seal is also a trouble spot as there are two seal halves, along with side seals, since the block is a skirted design. Different windage trays and oil pans can also play havoc here as they block the return in the rear main cap.

All of these things need to be watched carefully upon assembly. Otherwise it's smooth sailing.

FE's are tricky to seal properly.
My 428 was built and the BOZO used red silicone on the intake gaskets.
The gasket slid and coolant was in the motor oil.
Rear mains seals are difficult to get to stop leaking on these engines too.

Don

[patrickt]

I just pulled my car out of her hermetically sealed bag that she has sat in for the past five months and, surprisingly, there were only a couple of innocuous drips on the papers that I had put under her. BUT, there was one really interesting leak, and I don't even know if I should call it a leak, and I should have taken a photo of it, but didn't. Anyway, the PCV hose that runs from the passenger size valve cover to the base of the carb was covered in very small droplets of oil, even on the "top of the arch" of the hose, so it couldn't have "run" up hill there. The oil had permeated through the hose itself and left all of the small drops on the outside of the hose. Obviously, that PCV hose was not "oil resistant." Just goes to show, oil will find its way out of FEs one way or another....

[Barry_R]

Had a pretty long conversation with a buddy from my days at F-M - - he's the lead engineer for Fel-Pro performance gaskets. He asked a lot of questions about the FE rear seal area. They are very aware of the FE and it's tendencies...

[undy]

Originally Posted by Barry_R

Had a pretty long conversation with a buddy from my days at F-M - - he's the lead engineer for Fel-Pro performance gaskets. He asked a lot of questions about the FE rear seal area. They are very aware of the FE and it's tendencies...

He wasn't the one who designed the fail-pro intake gasket was he?? ...the one that had no structural integrety and slipped more than a Japanese Tectonic Plate!

[Dimis]

Originally Posted by Barry_R

Had a pretty long conversation with a buddy from my days at F-M - - he's the lead engineer for Fel-Pro performance gaskets. He asked a lot of questions about the FE rear seal area. They are very aware of the FE and it's tendencies...

Does this mean they are going to be addressing the problem with a new/revised product?

Should I wait before I build my fe?

[patrickt]

If you wait for the coming of a completely dry FE, your epitaph will read "He never did build that engine he always wanted."