I just had my head cut for rings about 500 miles ago. I torque the head down to 120 when I first put it on (30-60-90-120). We started it up drove it around easy for a few miles checked it again once cooled. Drove it around about a week and checked again. I think only 2-3 studs moved at all. They are ARP 12mm studs, the machine work was done by a reputable shop, and the gasket and rings were purchased from the same shop. During this time my coolant system has been bubbling over (not boiling). It would do this even when not up to temp. I replaced the rad cap and it still didn’t help. Also since I did all the head work I have had horrible blow-by. Even at idle if I pull the dipstick tube I have blow-by coming out the tube.
Anyways Saturday I took the truck out and drove it kind of hard. (first time since doing all the work on it) When I got home it was leaking coolant, about a drip or 2 every second. It was also dripping oil, but not nearly as fast. The coolant is leaking right out of the front of the head, and it also pushed the water pump gasket out (replaced that at the same time as the head gasket)
The only thing I could think that would do this would be if they cut the rings to deep in the head, therefore letting cylinder pressure over/under the rings and into the oil and coolant system.
Any other thoughts?

 

Did you have the head pressure checked before all the work was done? It could have had an internal leak...? I did all my retorques cold and after the 1st retorque none really moved...

 

i seem to have noticed a bit more blow-by out of mine since the HG installation.....

no coolant consumption or excess oil consumption though. it does seem to haze a little longer on initial startup now.

 

I'm almost positive the head wasn't pressure tested.

 

There is probably an internal leak then causeing it to leak out either cumbustion pressure or boost pressure. I had gobs of blowby before doing a new HG and since I have none...

 

When the head was in getting the rings done, they also did a valve job and the 60lb springs were put on along with tit retainers. If there was a big crack i would have thought they would have seen it while they had the valves out, checking the guides and all that. at this point it sounds like i just need to take it apart and see what I'm working with. I would have to have 2 leaks then right ? one for the blow by and another pressurizing the coolant system?