351w with Water in cylinder #1

[Roadrunner351w]

Sorry for the long story.

Rebuilt a 351 windsor it is Bored .60 over with a slightly larger cam a Edlebrock Performer 351W intake 600 cfm Edlebrock Carb. Tried to crank it for the first time would not crank easy finally got it to crank and a lot of white smoke and missing and backfiring thru the Carb. Removed #1 plug to check to make sure it wasTDC and the cylinder was full of water. Replaced the the intake gasket and again there was water in #1 cylinder then I removed the Head sent back to the machinest and they rechecked the the head it check out fine as far as pressure testing it goes. So I replaced the head with new gaskets and cranked it up again and still smoke and missing and backfiring so checked #1 again and it had water in it so I checked the rest of the cylinders and #3 and #8 were full of oil. So we pulled the motor and completely tore it back down and I sent the block and both heads back to the machinest and he pressure tested everything and also replaced all the valve guides at no extra cost to me ordered new rings again and replaced them and put the entire motor back together and this time it fired right up and no miss anfd then it acted like it ran out of gas so I put more gas in in tank and all it does is spit and sputter so pulled #1 plug again and again water so I called Summitt and told them the problem and said the intake is possibly bad so they sent me a new and new gaskets replaced the intake still want crank checked the fuel pressure it is around 8psi and Again water in #1 so replaced the gasket one more time(this is 6th time) and now it still want crank and I have burnt up 2 starters trying to crank this thing. So can someone please help me on this issue?

I am putiing this engine in 67 Ford Ranger step side pickup I have some pictures of it at http://www.alabamaatv.net/Ford_Truck_Restoration.html
Still got ways to go on the pictures and the story behind it.

[fitzwell]

intake gasket water port mismatch ???

what year heads/block, etc??

[Roadrunner351w]

The heads and block are 1974. This motor has never been rebuilt before it was pulled out of a car and put in a truck and they drove it for years and then sold it and the kid that bought it pulled engine and tranmission out kept the trans. and sold the engine and it was running great no smoke or oil usage at all until I rebuilt it and now all the problems the original intake was a 2 barrel carb intake.

[Roadrunner351w]

The only other possible thing I can see is the fact that edelbrock uses 12 bolts on there intakes as to the 16 bolts from the factory intake and the 4 bolts that edelbrock don't use are right there at the water jackets.

[fordman]

what brand of intake gaskets were these?

[Roadrunner351w]

I have read a lot on here about gaskets from you guys so Ihave gone thru everybrand so far and the same results with all of them. I am currently using the ones that come with a rebuild gasket set thye are paper with metal in the middle.

[DuckRyder]

I'm not a small block guy, particularly not an early small block guy, but Edelbrock says this on their webpage:

Installation Notes: Use 12-bolt intake gasket set (Edelbrock #7220 recommended). Van installations use OEM Ford "van" gasket set; will fit early 16-bolt head with Ford 16-bolt intake gasket set. Choke block-off cover plate #8981 included. Manifold height: A-3.40", B-4.75" see A/B Measurements. Port exit dimensions: 1.10" x 1.80".

Which to me translates to: "You must use the Ford 16-Bolt intake gasket set."

[Roadrunner351w]

I was gonna try that next. If the gaskets I using now leaks I am gonna try the 302 Intake gaskets.If any one else has any suggestions I will be glad to here them.

[fitzwell]

Don't understand the "van" gasket. IIRC, it's a valley pan looking thing with paper gaskets attached to the metal. Have you put a straightedge across the surface of the intake (and possibly the heads)? On intake installs, i use victor gaskets. Apply a thin bead of silicone around both sides of the water ports, and a thin bead of hylomar around the intake ports, both sides as well. Let everything set up for 45-30 min. carefully install, (couple pieces of 5/16 allthread is handy here) Torque to23-25 lbs-ft. You'll need to check the intake bolts every couple of days for the first week-10 days, but if everything is clean, straight & true, there shouldnt be any problems.

one other thought, did you check the intake bolt holes in the heads & make sure they were clean? If they came straight out of the tank, they could be full of crud that would affect the torque readings

[fordman]

it says to use the 12 bolt gasket. on vans you use the 16 bolt gasket with a choke block of plate.

[Roadrunner351w]

When I get home tonight I am gonna check and see if it still leaks and if it don't then good and if it does then I will try the 12 bolt gaskets. We also checked the angels and trueness of the heads and the intake all that looks good no gaps or pits and everthing mikes out to the correct angles.If the above don't work Sunday going to a junk yard and purchase a four barrell stock intake with the 16 bolt holes and take to the machinest and have it ported and polished and try that. Thank all you guys for your input if anyone else as any other suggestions let me know please.

[bumpside]

If the block deck was cut, and the heads were cut to true them, you will need to have the intake manifold cut to fit properly. Otherwise the intake will ride on the front and back of the block, and never seal against the heads. Ask your machine shop if he cut the heads and bkock. If he did, have him cut the intake to match. That will stop your leak.

[Roadrunner351w]

I want to Thank everyone for there input. But so far it is looking like it is not leaking anywhere. I took the intake back off and used 351w intake gaskets again because I already had them on hand and then I siliconed all around there where the 4 bolts that are not used by edelbrock and so far so good. Will keep everyone posted on the results. right now she is running like a charm and sweet. again thanks everyone.