Major engine oil/antifreeze problem (HELP)

I was having problems with my buick 350 that I built over heating and could not figure out why. I figured it may be a bubble in the system so I kept adding more antifreeze to it and it seemed to keep going down. No visible leaks though. So today I checked my oil and the dip stick was wet all the way to the top of the stick. And it sure wasn't oil. I drained the pan and got about 2-3 gallons of fluid out of it ! Now i don;t think the block is cracked becouse I started tearing it apart in the summer and drained all traces of any fluid out of it then, and at that time there was actually pretty good lookin oil in it. Could it be from when I ran the engine without the radiator hooked up that it melted the gaskets? I for surely replaced all gaskets along the way. Please help me out here guys. I know I have to tear it apart again but just wanna have an idea of what it is. Thanks Zach

 

If you didn't run it long without coolant then you didn't Melt the gaskets. I would think there is a gasket that is not seated in the correct place or maybe a wrong intake gasket allowing water to run down into the lifter galley and into the pan. When it runs is it running on all 8? If so, rule out head gaskets and focus on the intake....

 

and/or the timing cover:
pinhole behind the waterpump?
and/or timing cover gasket leaking?
lots of possibilities
and then the obvious, but I have to ask:
cyl head/intake manifold bolts torqued?

 

sounds like either a gasket in backwards, missing one or something else broke.

 

I plan on pulling off the intake this week/weekend. I would say that the longest I ran the engine may have been 3-5 minuetes becouse I needed to get it out of the shop to load it on the trailer. It was sort of steeming out of the ports on the intake. I am pretty sure it is running on all 8, but it will not run unless I give it just a hair of choke (vacume loss). I will keep you all up to date. I thought I was going to finally be done with this thing and now this. I hope it is nothing real major. better now though then when I am 15 miles out on a trail some were. Thanks again.

 

I pulled the intake just now and I think that is were my problem was. The RTV looks good and blue in most areas but then turns real black in other spots. I had to order the gasket becouse of course no one has buick parts in stock. I don't think it is the head gasket also becouse it was blowing no white smoke, and if the head gasket was bad it would be for surely getting in above the pistons and burning off. I sure hope this fixes my problem. And PLEASE guys, learn from me that your 3 minuetes of fun while you drive around (before the radiator is hooked up) sure aint worth having to redo all this work. Makes me feel like a real dummy thats for sure.

 

I've been starting My V-6 with out the radiator hooked up for years. There shouldn't be a problem unless you get it too hot. I've also ran it with out exhaust. Don't think you did anything wrong. I think the problem is some where else.

 

Well it was hot enough that the ports on the intake were steeming. I let it warm up and then drove it out of the shop and over to and on to the trailer. That rtv is for surely very black in some spots but perfectly blue in others.

 

better off using "real" gaskets, rather than the "can" ones. sounds like a crack in a water passage to me. after puting motor back together get a ac leak kit and put that dye in the radiator, fill w/water only, get motor warmed up and check w/black light. might have to remove heads/intake again but is only way to fix problem right.

 

well the real gasket also calls for gasket maker, but now I realized that I put on blue and not ultra black. The ultra black is for high temp. That is why I think it all burnt away. well I have the new one installed now, and will be trying it soon.

 

Yeah well I already replaced the intake gasket with the same style and it seemed to leak just as much. Now I once again have it all torn apart and am taking the heads off too to replace those gaskets as well. I also already ordered another gasket that will be in tomorrow (yes the metal type). I sure hope this works this time. It is enough to make a grown man cry. makes me wanna just give up! A guy just can't get a break in this darn jeep world. Thanks guys for your help though.

 

Well 2day i replaced the head gaskets and the intake gasket one more time. I am going to let it sit till tomorrow to let everything set up all the way. I sure hope this does it. If not I have no idea as to of what it could be. Cross your fingers for me guys.

 

Were do I get those thick Mr. gaskets from? I am 100 percent the biggest dummy now that i once again put everything together and realized that I put the driverside head gasket in upside down. So yes I will be pulling it all apart once again. This sucks. It has been about zero here in wisconsin and is not suposed to get any warmer for about a week.

 

Well I figured out for sure that I cracked a water jacket. I Have not touched my jeep in over a month. I was pretty bummed about it. I now have bought a buick 350 bored .20 over that I am paying the guys to put together for me with my heads, intake, oil pan, and exhaust manifolds. He gave me a deal (I think so at least) and is charging me 700 for everything. That is with a full rebuild. I should have the motor in 2-3 weeks. That gives me time to tie up all my last loose ends. And yes I had my heads and intake both pressure tested and they came out great. Zach

 

Sorry to here that.
Going to all that work and all.