[Enthusiast]

It's been a long while since I posted on the forum, but I read through numerous threads and conducted numerous searches to see if I could find a situation like mine with no hope....Thanks in advance to anyone who can provide some input!

So I recently installed ported Frankenstein heads on my 12' CTS V and I've been having one hell of an overheating issue. At first I thought it was air bubbles in the radiator system, but I've tried almost every burping and refill method with no luck. As we're eTuning, my tuner said to log a 2nd to 3rd gear pull and when I did that, the temps shot up almost instantly. I burped some air out, took the car out again and did a small pull and temps shoot up again. I figured there's just a bunch of air in the system because of the heads installation so I tried numerous methods to burp the air, with no success...It even got to the point of me draining the entire system and buying a vacuum system for my air compressor to both test the system and refill through the vacuum. That didn't come up with any leaks in the system when I did the test but Im still having this dang issue. I'm worried it's a head gasket issue that I'm not seeing but I'm not 100% sure. When I try to do the funnel system and I let the car idle for a while, it almost as if the coolant boils over and sprays everywhere. Also, after driving the car, it makes a barking sound from the pressurized system out of the expansion tank. Honestly I'm at a complete loss and any help would be much appreciated!

 

[MeanMike]

Try a combustion gas/coolant test kit. Local parts stores sometimes have them too.

Even though the vacuum didn’t leak doesn’t mean your head gaskets aren’t leaking. What head stud kit did you use?

Amazon.com: Block Tester BT-500 Combustion Leak Test Kit - Made in USA : Automotive

Buy Block Tester BT-500 Combustion Leak Test Kit - Made in USA: Gas Analyzers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Enthusiast]

Try a combustion gas/coolant test kit. Local parts stores sometimes have them too.

Even though the vacuum didn’t leak doesn’t mean your head gaskets aren’t leaking. What head stud kit did you use?

Amazon.com: Block Tester BT-500 Combustion Leak Test Kit - Made in USA : Automotive

Buy Block Tester BT-500 Combustion Leak Test Kit - Made in USA: Gas Analyzers - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Looks like I'll have to pick one up tomorrow to see. With my luck that's probably the case. I used ARP LSA head bolts but if I have to pull the heads again I might just upgrade to studs. I appreciate the help!

 

[07GTS]

how the plugs look ? got one of those little cameras u can look in the plug hole and check out the cylinder see if any coolant in there ?

 

[Cduran]

Are you’re fans coming in at all ?

 

[JAustin]

This ^

Check fans.

 

[A440]

Correct head gaskets? Made that mistake once...

 

[random84]

This ^

Check fans.

Even if OP has an Only Fans account- what does that have to do with anything?

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using Tapatalk

 

[jcs003]

Even if OP has an Only Fans account- what does that have to do with anything?

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using Tapatalk

Having an only fans and having fans don't always coincide.

 

[Cduran]

Even if OP has an Only Fans account- what does that have to do with anything?

Sent from my SM-G991U1 using Tapatalk

We’re just trying to get the link , We’re not interested in his car troubles.

 

[Enthusiast]

Only Fans to fund a TT build, don't knock us content creators! I'm bringing back the meat spin!

But seriously, my head gasket isn't sealed properly and there's combustion gasses in the coolant system....Thanks for the tip on the combustion gas test. Time to pull these heads again....Link to OF through my IG @battleship_v

(Not really, but I need more IG followers 😂)

 

[loweredd]

(Not really, but I need more IG followers 😂)

Why?? 🤔

 

[Enthusiast]

Why?? 🤔

Sponsorships!

After doing some research, I saw that the majority of people install their head gaskets dry, are there any issues with adding a thin layer of copper spray for better peace of mind?

 

[ctsvken]

I know that this may be irrelevant, but I had a similar issue on a Grand National I had years ago. I was using a stock head gasket with ARP bolts purchased from a well known supplier of Grand National parts. Long story short, the threads on the ARP head bolts bottomed out with the threads in the deck when torqued down, not enough to leak coolant but enough to cause strange overheating issues like you are experiencing.

After disassembly and looking and the threads on the head bolts I was able to correct the situation by adding another hardened ARP washer under the washer supplied in the head bolt kit. The head could then be torque down correctly with the proper head gasket crush, and the overheating problem went away.

Upon inspection, you may want to look at your head bolt length, especially since you are running an aftermarket Frankenstein head that might have been designed for an LS3, which I believe (I could be wrong….someone else can chime in here) uses shorter head bolts.

This would be something you could check easily by pulling a head bolt and measuring its length.

Hope this helps.

 

[Enthusiast]

I know that this may be irrelevant, but I had a similar issue on a Grand National I had years ago. I was using a stock head gasket with ARP bolts purchased from a well known supplier of Grand National parts. Long story short, the threads on the ARP head bolts bottomed out with the threads in the deck when torqued down, not enough to leak coolant but enough to cause strange overheating issues like you are experiencing.

After disassembly and looking and the threads on the head bolts I was able to correct the situation by adding another hardened ARP washer under the washer supplied in the head bolt kit. The head could then be torque down correctly with the proper head gasket crush, and the overheating problem went away.

Upon inspection, you may want to look at your head bolt length, especially since you are running an aftermarket Frankenstein head that might have been designed for an LS3, which I believe (I could be wrong….someone else can chime in here) uses shorter head bolts.

This would be something you could check easily by pulling a head bolt and measuring its length.

Hope this helps.

I appreciate this information! I heard that about the ARP head studs, but I thought the bolts were safe to use. I started pulling the heads again last night and ordered new head gaskets and ARP bolts to be safe. I'll report back how doubling the ARP washers works out. I really think I may copper coat as well for added peace of mind. I don't see how it can really hurt.

The real question though, do you still have the Grand National?!

 

[ctsvken]

No. I sold the GN years ago. My point is to check the length of the ARP head bolts to see if they are too long and not enough thread area. Thanks.

 

[jcs003]

No. I sold the GN years ago. My point is to check the length of the ARP head bolts to see if they are too long and not enough thread area. Thanks.

First mistake was selling the GN.

 

[Enthusiast]

There was a GN for sale on someone's lawn in my wife's hometown and I kick myself everyday for not buying it.....

 

[ctsvken]

I know…I wish I did not sell it…..

 

[jetpilot10]

It's been a long while since I posted on the forum, but I read through numerous threads and conducted numerous searches to see if I could find a situation like mine with no hope....Thanks in advance to anyone who can provide some input!

So I recently installed ported Frankenstein heads on my 12' CTS V and I've been having one hell of an overheating issue. At first I thought it was air bubbles in the radiator system, but I've tried almost every burping and refill method with no luck. As we're eTuning, my tuner said to log a 2nd to 3rd gear pull and when I did that, the temps shot up almost instantly. I burped some air out, took the car out again and did a small pull and temps shoot up again. I figured there's just a bunch of air in the system because of the heads installation so I tried numerous methods to burp the air, with no success...It even got to the point of me draining the entire system and buying a vacuum system for my air compressor to both test the system and refill through the vacuum. That didn't come up with any leaks in the system when I did the test but Im still having this dang issue. I'm worried it's a head gasket issue that I'm not seeing but I'm not 100% sure. When I try to do the funnel system and I let the car idle for a while, it almost as if the coolant boils over and sprays everywhere. Also, after driving the car, it makes a barking sound from the pressurized system out of the expansion tank. Honestly I'm at a complete loss and any help would be much appreciated!

Todays modern MLS head gaskets insist on NOT putting copper on them. Install dry. Contact BTR for their guidance.