skrapiron -FSO
Serious Thumper
   
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Instant Human.... Just add coffee..
Posts: 1456
Pittsburgh, Pa
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When you replaced the head gaskets, did you replace the oil plug in the head as well? That is the most common source for oil leaks. Unfortunately, it means removing the head to get to it.
As for tightening the head bolts, there used to be a recommended torque guide on the old Savage site. I can't find it on the new one. Anyway, the bolts should be torqued down to 20ft/lb (I may be wrong... Sluggo or other more experienced wrenches can correct that). When tightening the bolts, do so in a cris-cross pattern, not a circular pattern. Once all the bolts are torqued to spec cris-cross, then you can go back and check them singly, in a circular pattern.
When assembling a head, I tend to use a little RTV sealer on both mating surfaces (not so much that it squishes out and gets knocked into the head) but just enough to 'glue' the gasket to the cylinder and hold it in place. It also fills small imperfections in the mating surfaces and can prevent pinhole leaks.
As for your backfire. That is most likely cause by an exhaust leak. Either from the header pipe (where it comes out of the block) or where your muffler and header meet. Tighten the header bolts (again, I don't recall the correct torque. Ask Sluggo) then loosen the muffler clamp, push the muffler FIRMLY against the header pipe, reposition the clamp so it fits over the crush gasket, then tighten the clamp FIRMLY.
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