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Registered
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Kingsport, TN
Posts: 2,935
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Failing Cam Tower Gaskets
I am currently getting ready to install my third cam tower gasket in the past 7 years. My car is a track car and does about 9-10 events a year plus serves as a semi-daily driver. Each time the gasket fails, I develop an oil leak at the top near the distributor right by an intake runner. When I remove the cam assembly, the gasket is always split near the bolt hole as per picture. That is where the oil gets out and puddles on the top of the engine. Some oil also gets into the #1 spark plug recess. The head and block both appear planar.
When I assemble the thing, I torque to 15 ft-lbs from the center outward. The torque is what is specified in the P-manual. Any ideas what is causing this problem? 
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Lawrence 1986 951 2002 SLK32 AMG 1987 328GTS 2011 528i |
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02-04-2008, 09:45 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Posts: 4,530
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The two guide pins on the head for the camshaft tower.
Take a look at the camshaft tower and see if either of the holes looks out of round. If it shifts it will tear the gasket.
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Alex - PCA Polar Region - Boxster Muncher 86' 944 Turbo - Megasquirt - 326 rwhp/340lbft @ 18 psi SOLD www.edmontonhomelife.com www.edmontonrealestate.ws |
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02-04-2008, 08:57 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Kingsport, TN
Posts: 2,935
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Everything looks ok except for the gasket failing in the same place three times. When I install, the crank is at TDC so the front end of the cam tower sits up on the valves. As I tighten the bolts on the front of the tower, valves have to be opened. I wonder if this shifts the gasket or pulls on it in some way.
Think I should rotate engine a little?
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Lawrence 1986 951 2002 SLK32 AMG 1987 328GTS 2011 528i |
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02-06-2008, 04:53 AM
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winter-hater club member
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: salt lake city, utah
Posts: 24,705
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put a straight edge to the surfaces in question. i understand that they LOOK planar, but are they really?
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2000 Corvette - ????, 2007 Buell XB9R - Astrid, 1996 Discovery - Piglet, 2000 Forester "COOL PRIUS!" - Nobody Ever |
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02-06-2008, 11:51 AM
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my bet is that it's not properly aligned when you're inserting/torquing the bolts. try using the spray-on copper gasket sealer to hold the gasket in place and have it 'stick' to both surfaces for a sure fit.
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'89 turbo-s (2.7, wolf3d ems, garrett dbb turbo, tial 46mm, etc. fast!) |
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02-07-2008, 04:45 PM
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'89 turbo-s (2.7, wolf3d ems, garrett dbb turbo, tial 46mm, etc. fast!) |
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02-08-2008, 04:40 PM
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meister member
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I had 2 cam tower failures about 3000 miles apart from each other. What I did was take a 600 grit tool and die makers polishing stone and stone the head surface and the surface of the cam tower to remove and high spots. I just wet the stone with honing oil and hand rubbed the stone. After cleaning everything up with alcohol I used a thin film of gasket sealer on both sides of the gasket and then reassembled the whole deal. I have since put on about 10000 miles without failure yet.
Speedy 
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1983 944 guards red with 16" Fuchs, Host of Wisconsin area timing/ balance shaft belt tensioning party 1987 944S Purchased from Legion. Corvette LT-1 V-8 conversion with Mega Squirt II Check on progress ---> www.porschehybrids.com/gallery/speedracing944 Favorite Road = www.tailofthedragon.com 318 turns in 11 miles (11 min 20 sec best run) |
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02-22-2008, 05:57 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Napa Valley, CA
Posts: 169
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Mine is only 4 years old and starting to leak in the same spot. I figured over tightened or didn't tighten it right. As mentioned alignment is key as they're not incredibly tough.
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Keith 1986 Porsche 951 |
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02-22-2008, 09:31 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 327
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It looks like Lindsey Racing is now offering a rubber coated steel cam tower gasket
http://www.lindseyracing.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=LR&Category_Co de=COMETIC That looks interesting. For $40 it might be worth trying out.
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-- Jim 1983 944 Last edited by #391; 02-24-2008 at 04:30 PM.. |
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02-24-2008, 04:14 PM
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Super Moderator
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i don't think it's worth $40 for a metal cam gasket. install the stock gasket correctly and you will not have any problems.
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'89 turbo-s (2.7, wolf3d ems, garrett dbb turbo, tial 46mm, etc. fast!) |
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02-24-2008, 05:29 PM
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