The Ford Barn

Cape Codder · 12-05-2015, 05:46 PM

Newly rebuilt motor completely installed. Torque had been rechecked and found several head nuts loose. Serviced with water for initial start. While checking installation of engine, noticed water leaking from around and on top of some of the studs. Starting from the back # 14, #8, #7 and crazy enough there was some water around #11. Drained water and again checked torque which was good. Serviced again with water and found bolts leaking. No attempt to start car has been made.

How are these bolts leaking water when engine has not even been started?

Mitch//pa · 12-05-2015, 05:50 PM

hi cape
head nuts are common to leak. some use technician in a can, some use dental floss under the nuts. i prefer to take the natural approach to just run it and do the retorques, as they usually seal themselves up.

Cape Codder · 12-05-2015, 07:56 PM

Thanks for the response Mitch//pa but we are not going to do anything to the motor until we here from the rebuilder. I would have hoped for what was paid for the rebuild this problem would not even have been there, but we have to remember these are mechanical problems that have to be dealt with.

I just was wondering what the members of the board would have to say as to what could be the cause of something like this.

Thanks again, Mitch//pa

Mitch//pa · 12-05-2015, 08:07 PM

cape,
i believe some causes are if the head studs holes are drilled to deep or just some leaching from the head gasket until it gets some good retorquing and heat cycles. i'm hoping on a fresh motor the planes are straight.. yes most definitely talk to the builder first. i have seen engines from reputable places all do this.
keep us posted and let us know what they say

P.S. say hi to Paul

700rpm · 12-05-2015, 08:11 PM

I don't think this is uncommon. I've experienced the same thing even just working on an engine and removing/replacing the head. I run it a bit, retorgue and repeat couple times, till ithe nuts stay at 55#. If there had been earlier leaking, it usually stops after that.

There is also a very reputable local engine shop that builds high end racing engines. They add a small amount of a special stop leak additive to prevent callbacks. You might investigate that. But going back to your rebuilder is the best next move.

Mike V. Florida · 12-06-2015, 12:41 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 700rpm

... going back to your rebuilder is the best next move.

I agree don't do anything without speaking to them first. You don't want to give them a reason to not honor a warranty later on.

Farrell In Vancouver · 12-06-2015, 12:52 AM

I had a couple small leaks on two head studs after a gasket replacement. Last year. After a few retorques they both stopped. Just run it and it should be fine
L

AL in NY · 12-06-2015, 10:24 AM

Like mitch//pa said, the block stud holes could be open to the water jacket. Normally they are blind holes, but if you use straight water in the summer and drain it during the cold winter, some water could seep into the blind stud hole, freeze and blow out the bottom of the hole and leave it open to the water jacket. If you encounter these blown out holes during a rebuild, it's best to seal the threads with a good gasket sealer like silicon to prevent leakage up the stud and around the head nut. If you plan on running straight water, I would seal all the head stud with sealer to prevent these blow outs.

1931 flamingo · 12-07-2015, 06:59 PM

Were the stud threads chased??
Paul in CT

Cape Codder · 12-10-2015, 04:17 PM

Well..........the rebuilder was contacted and he instructed that the cooling system have some stop leak (don't remember brand name) installed. However we decided, because as some said it is not a problem, the only thing that was put in was water. After filling with water we noticed NO wet head bolts. Don't know why, because all we had done was drain all the water with anticipation of having to re-torque it again. Now have run motor four times as per rebuilder and no water issues. Thanks to all for your responses.

Mitch//pa · 12-10-2015, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cape Codder

Well..........the rebuilder was contacted and he instructed that the cooling system have some stop leak (don't remember brand name) installed. However we decided, because as some said it is not a problem, the only thing that was put in was water. After filling with water we noticed NO wet head bolts. Don't know why, because all we had done was drain all the water with anticipation of having to re-torque it again. Now have run motor four times as per rebuilder and no water issues. Thanks to all for your responses.

As mentioned it should seal naturally, give it a chance

12-05-2015, 05:50 PM	#2
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Water Leak ! ! ! hi cape head nuts are common to leak. some use technician in a can, some use dental floss under the nuts. i prefer to take the natural approach to just run it and do the retorques, as they usually seal themselves up. Last edited by Mitch//pa; 12-05-2015 at 06:20 PM.

12-05-2015, 07:56 PM	#3
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,337	Re: Water Leak ! ! ! Thanks for the response Mitch//pa but we are not going to do anything to the motor until we here from the rebuilder. I would have hoped for what was paid for the rebuild this problem would not even have been there, but we have to remember these are mechanical problems that have to be dealt with. I just was wondering what the members of the board would have to say as to what could be the cause of something like this. Thanks again, Mitch//pa

12-05-2015, 08:07 PM	#4
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Water Leak ! ! ! cape, i believe some causes are if the head studs holes are drilled to deep or just some leaching from the head gasket until it gets some good retorquing and heat cycles. i'm hoping on a fresh motor the planes are straight.. yes most definitely talk to the builder first. i have seen engines from reputable places all do this. keep us posted and let us know what they say P.S. say hi to Paul Last edited by Mitch//pa; 12-05-2015 at 08:14 PM.

12-05-2015, 08:11 PM	#5
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 6,039	Re: Water Leak ! ! ! I don't think this is uncommon. I've experienced the same thing even just working on an engine and removing/replacing the head. I run it a bit, retorgue and repeat couple times, till ithe nuts stay at 55#. If there had been earlier leaking, it usually stops after that. There is also a very reputable local engine shop that builds high end racing engines. They add a small amount of a special stop leak additive to prevent callbacks. You might investigate that. But going back to your rebuilder is the best next move. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole. Last edited by 700rpm; 12-10-2015 at 04:33 PM.

12-07-2015, 06:59 PM	#9
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,428	Re: Water Leak ! ! ! Were the stud threads chased?? Paul in CT

12-05-2015, 05:46 PM	#1
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,337	Water Leak ! ! ! Newly rebuilt motor completely installed. Torque had been rechecked and found several head nuts loose. Serviced with water for initial start. While checking installation of engine, noticed water leaking from around and on top of some of the studs. Starting from the back # 14, #8, #7 and crazy enough there was some water around #11. Drained water and again checked torque which was good. Serviced again with water and found bolts leaking. No attempt to start car has been made. How are these bolts leaking water when engine has not even been started?

12-06-2015, 12:52 AM	#7
Farrell In Vancouver Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pitt Meadows BC Posts: 1,003	Re: Water Leak ! ! ! I had a couple small leaks on two head studs after a gasket replacement. Last year. After a few retorques they both stopped. Just run it and it should be fine L

12-06-2015, 10:24 AM	#8
AL in NY Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern Upstate New York Posts: 1,209	Re: Water Leak ! ! ! Like mitch//pa said, the block stud holes could be open to the water jacket. Normally they are blind holes, but if you use straight water in the summer and drain it during the cold winter, some water could seep into the blind stud hole, freeze and blow out the bottom of the hole and leave it open to the water jacket. If you encounter these blown out holes during a rebuild, it's best to seal the threads with a good gasket sealer like silicon to prevent leakage up the stud and around the head nut. If you plan on running straight water, I would seal all the head stud with sealer to prevent these blow outs. __________________ AL in NY

12-10-2015, 04:17 PM	#10
Cape Codder Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,337	Re: Water Leak ! ! ! Well..........the rebuilder was contacted and he instructed that the cooling system have some stop leak (don't remember brand name) installed. However we decided, because as some said it is not a problem, the only thing that was put in was water. After filling with water we noticed NO wet head bolts. Don't know why, because all we had done was drain all the water with anticipation of having to re-torque it again. Now have run motor four times as per rebuilder and no water issues. Thanks to all for your responses.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode