i have a 1997 chevy with a brand new 5.7 liter vortec shortblock.. however it has the original heads on it and after i put it all together it started leaking oil around the bottom of the heads at the corners.. and it was running hot and over heated pretty bad.. i had someone tell me that i just need a valve job done but i dont know.. when i tried puttin the exhaust manifolds back on the bolts wouldnt line up right with the bolt holes.. does this mean my heads are warped or what?.. can someone tell me if they have any idea... i think the heads are warped.. if you need any more information just ask me.. or u can email me at josh_borden18@yahoo.com.. i am on there more than here

Sounds like you either messed something up installing them or you have the wrong heads or maybe even the wrong gaskets. I have never seen a set of Chevy heads leak coolant externally from warpage and it certainly won't change the exhaust bolt positions.




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida

so if the heads are warped it wont chang the alignment of the bolt holes for the exhaust manifolds?

No it won't. The only warpage you could get is in the flatness of the gasket surface and even that will be microscopic.
Cast iron heads rarely warp.




78 Corvette Pace Car For Sale-18k mi orig-Florida




(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jun 26, 2009, 2:00 PM)

borden; My wife says I have a warped head. Never knew for sure what she meant. My bolts don't line up. Hmmm.
If I'm reading your post correctly, you are saying that the exhaust manifold bolts don't line up with the holes in the heads? If so, that's a common problem on small block Chev engines. You can buy a 'spreader' that can be inserted in between the exhaust ports to 'spread' them back where they belong to get the bolts started. If they are warped too much, then you'll have to replace the manifold(s). NAPA or CarQuest should have the spreader tool.
Loren
SW WA

thanks i'll look into that