strange problem after reinstalling head (long)

[davida]

I recently pulled my head to repair damaged threads in the distributor housing. Everything was running fine before I pulled the head, I just had an oil leak due to the damaged threads. When I put the head back on I had water coming out of the exhaust, a lot of water. Once again I pulled the head, this time thinking maybe somehow I installed the head gasket incorrectly, or maybe my head was cracked. I took the head to the machine shop and had it pressure checked and tested for straightness. Everyhting checked out ok. I reinstalled the head for the second time and I had water leaking out where the crank case ventilates. From the way I understand it there is a ventilation point off of the valve cover, and on off of the block, the one off of the block is leaking water. The hose wasn't tightened all the way and I traced the leak. First of all I am wondering how this could happen, and second of all I am wondering if this is how the water was getting into my exhaust the first time, since the hose is hooked up to my intake manifold. At the same time I pulled the head I installed an earlier intake manifold that had been modified for a weber 38/38. Any insight into this problem would be greatly appreciated.

[pkbinplano]

(nt)

[Guest Anonymous]

You said there was a vent off the block???? I don't think so as the only vent/breather I am aware of is the one on the valve cover. Are you sure you are not talking about the water outlet on the rear/driverside of the block that connects to the water jacket in the intake manifold??? If so, there is supposed to be water coming out of that port. Theory is it heats the intake to prevent icing on carbed cars. Hope this helps.

[davida]

I used all new gaskets and head bolts and followed the torque sequence.

[davida]

Also, the block is out of a 77 320 if that makes any difference.

[merlin]

did you surface the head? new head bolts were not required.

[davida]

the head was checked and did not need to be re-surfaced

[Guest Anonymous]

Checked how and by whom. 99% of the time when you lift a BMW head it has to be surfaced. you can retorque the bolts but you will probably end up pulling the head to see whats going on.

sam