head gaskets will not seal

[cuda1979]

hi i have a 99 rodeo with the 3.2 and i am having a problem with the head gaskets not sealing i just rebuilt the engine and used all new parts i did have to have it bored out 20 over it runs great and sounds great it just has this overheating problem i have changed the head gaskets two times i can see with my bore scope that the coolant is leaking from the head gasket from more then one spot that is why i do not think it is a cracked head i torqued the new head bolts to 48 foot pounds with oil on the threads and it is still leaking if anyone has any thoughts please post them the one thing that i can think of is do the head bolts need to be torqued down more?

[danielsatur]

Did you use a torque procedure?
Are you using new head bolts?
What about streach head bolts!

48ft lbs. sounds like the 1st step, see www.alldata.com

[cuda1979]

hi yes i did use the torque procedure and i did use new bolts and i agree that 48 foot pounds does not sound right i got the service info from michell on demand but i will check out alldata thanks

[Cat Fuzz]

Torquing the head bolts is a two step procedure. First step, in proper sequence, is 21 ft/lbs, second step, in proper sequence is 47 ft/lbs. You should be using new head bolts, you should have the heads milled. Left and right head gaskets are not interchangeable. Left is drivers side, right is passenger side. Make sure the surface on the engine is super clean and super flat. If you went straight to the final torque on the first pass, you likely have warped the heads. It is also very important to remove the head bolts in several steps in proper sequence.

[cuda1979]

well i had the head checked last time and it was not warped i have been using new bolts but the service info i had did not say to do it in two steps which i thought was odd and i have been making sure everything is clean so i guess i will try again also i have been getting my parts from ebay but i think i will try a diffrent brand maybe felpro what do you guys think.

[inafogg]

Originally Posted by cuda1979

well i had the head checked last time and it was not warped i have been using new bolts but the service info i had did not say to do it in two steps which i thought was odd and i have been making sure everything is clean so i guess i will try again also i have been getting my parts from ebay but i think i will try a diffrent brand maybe felpro what do you guys think.

i have never had a problem with the felpro brand
what brand are you using?
do the leaks appear to be always in the same spot?
47 ft lbs does sound low maybe 47 + a torque angle spec but if your going off a manual i guess its 47

[cuda1979]

i am using a brand that is from japan not sure what the name is and yes it is leaking inside the cylinders at the head gasket and like i said i thought that 48 foot pounds was odd too now that i have alldata it has a two step procedure and it is saying not to put oil on the threads so i will try it this way and see if that helps if not i would have no clue.

[daddy2kids]

I experienced the same thing when i used a head gasket sealer a long time ago. My mistake was not reading the instructions to let it be for about 45minutes or more before driving the car.
It was just a minor engine oil leak, so we can repair it ourselves and save money. After following the instructions, there has not been any leaks.