VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc Oil/water don't mix

Well my friend and a fellow VCCA member with no computer has a problem, he recently had a complete rebuild completed on a 216, including a bearing insert kit in the rods. He has been about a year in the process of a restoration, has run the engine for about a total of 30 minutes and night before last checked the oil and found it was contaminated with water. We will be working on it this weekend, I have suggested a compression test to possibly determine a head gasket problem, the other item under consideration is the oil supply tube to the rockers and other suggestions would be appreciated. Any method of determining if the water is getting into the system from the oil supply tube?

I would double check the head boldts to see if one was not tight by using a set type bar. Make sure hear clicks when pulled down. also go in correct order when checking. just an idea....

I would suggest removing the push rod cover and inspecting the rocker arm oil line to block fitting for coolant leakage. At that time the right side of the head gasket could be inspected for leaking also. You sould see some water droplets laying in the bottom of the push rod compartment.
Pull the spark plugs and see if any of the plugs have rust on the metal around the insulators.
Crank over the engine while the plugs are removed and watch for water spraying out of the plug opening.
If all checks out removing the head would be the next step.

You could even run the engine for a short time with the push rod cover removed.

If he didn't drive it, the Road draft tube won't do its job. How does he know it isn't just alot of condensation from all the humidity. Is he basing his claim of having water just from white junk that happens when oil and water collide? The motor needs to run more than 30 minutes to burn that mess out.