Head studs and oil leakage

[patssle]

I'v taken off all 4 of my valve covers to analyze my head studs. They look good visually, I poked at them with a screwdriver to make sure they aren't loose, and they passed that test too. I am trying to diagnose popping in my exhaust from my carb conversion - and I read broken head studs can be one of many causes. It seems they are fine. Tomorrow I'lll check the valve clearances. (previouslly checked mixture settings and exhaust system for leaks)

I also read that broken head studs can cause oil on the fins underneath: a flashlight examination can be done of the areas where the cylinders and cylinder heads join. Those areas should be dry and clean. If there is a black, crusty layer that appears to be burned oil, there is a chance that the engine has one or more broken head studs where the buildup is the heaviest

Which you can see in the picture below, I have plenty of that. Should I be checking my head studs even more closely or is this just normal leakage over time with seals failing?

[Flat6pac]

When you look at the exhaust side studs, look at the rocker shafts, make sure theyre not moving off location,..major oil leak if they do.
Bruce

[boyt911sc]

This is the picture of the cylinders #1-2-3 with broken dilavar head studs.


With the cylinders removed:


This is an example of a neglected engine that was driven for a while with several broken cylinder head studs. The lower head stud closest to the crank shaft pulley for cylinder #1 broke off only during dis-assembly. Notice the amount of dirt accumulated due to oil leak/s.

Tony

[Eagledriver]

That oil leak looks like it comes from the base gaskets. I don't think you have much of a leak from the heads to cyliders seam. If the headstuds aren't loose or broken, don't worry about it until you can't stand the oil leak anymore.