The Ford Barn

Afordman31 · 10-27-2013, 10:49 PM

Replaced the head gasket, (copper type) on a Model A
I used a different head than what was on the block to begin with.
The block wasn't decked or the head resurfaced.
Getting weeping (wet around some of the head bolts.)
Only water has been put in, not anti-freeze yet.
Should I have used copper gold spray on the gasket before installing it?

700rpm · 10-27-2013, 11:17 PM

You should have used something on the gasket. I usually use Copper-coat. A little Permatex #2 on the head bolts helps also.

Mike V. Florida · 10-28-2013, 12:15 AM

Since "The block wasn't decked or the head resurfaced" even something like copper coat may not have worked. Did you also re-torque the head nut several times?

green30coupe · 10-28-2013, 08:05 AM

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...t=dental+floss

This search shows dental floss having been used in similar situations. See item #12

Purdy Swoft · 10-28-2013, 09:04 AM

I doubt that the gasket is the problem. I use anti seize compound on the coarse threads of the studs where they enter the block and nothing on the fine thread end where the head nuts install. In worse cases where the bottom of the threaded holes in the block have been broken from over tightening the studs, I use silicone RTV sealer on the coarse threads of the studs. As mentioned above, the head nuts will need to be retorqued several times in the correct sequence, untill they will hold 55 ft. lbs. torque.

Jeff/Illinois · 10-28-2013, 09:25 AM

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Head gaskets seeping on Model A's must be the nature of the beast because just about every one I look at seems to have seepage!

A local antique car 'restorer 'used to solve the problem with a crescent wrench and a good tug. He went out of business years ago from other 'fixes' he had devised!

BILL WILLIAMSON · 10-28-2013, 02:40 PM

After multiple torqueings & a jar of BARS-LEAKS, you "MIGHT" be good to go. These old cars are quite FORGIVING at times. Just make sure you're NOT getting water in the oil! Bill W.

TJSHOW · 10-28-2013, 05:50 PM

I had one leaking and read the same post Ed is referring to above. About 8 wraps of dental floss did the trick. No more leak!

glenn in camino · 10-28-2013, 07:57 PM

Sooner or later rust on the stud will stop the leak.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 10-28-2013, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenn in camino

Sooner or later rust on the stud will stop the leak.

YEP! Glen, & in about 31 years, some guy willl be on THE BARN, asking, "How do I get this DANGED head off, It's like it wuz WELDED ON"!! Lets see, OH! John Duden will still be around to hold his hand & help him! Bill W.

ford3 · 10-28-2013, 11:02 PM

basicly if the water leak is not on the outside of the head its not a head gasket, the best way to stop head stud leaks is to prevent them in the first place, seal all the studs before installing the head, when ever the head is removed check to see if its warped, and when removing a head remove the head bolts in the opposit direction as when it was torqued, that will eliminate a lot of head warpage, and the subsequent water leaks

Afordman31 · 10-30-2013, 01:09 PM

Thank you for all the replies to the weeping around the head bolts. We ran the engine the next day and the head bolts didn't have any seepage.
Go figure!

10-28-2013, 12:15 AM	#3
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida between Sarasota and TampaSouth Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Weeping around head bolt Since "The block wasn't decked or the head resurfaced" even something like copper coat may not have worked. Did you also re-torque the head nut several times? __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

10-28-2013, 08:05 AM	#4
green30coupe Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Coastal Mississippi & Central West Florida Posts: 206	Re: Weeping around head bolt https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...t=dental+floss This search shows dental floss having been used in similar situations. See item #12 __________________ Ed LAW OF MECHANICAL REPAIR ONCE YOUR HANDS BECOME COVERED WITH GREASE, YOUR NOSE WILL ITCH AND YOU'LL HAVE TO PEE

10-28-2013, 09:04 AM	#5
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: Weeping around head bolt I doubt that the gasket is the problem. I use anti seize compound on the coarse threads of the studs where they enter the block and nothing on the fine thread end where the head nuts install. In worse cases where the bottom of the threaded holes in the block have been broken from over tightening the studs, I use silicone RTV sealer on the coarse threads of the studs. As mentioned above, the head nuts will need to be retorqued several times in the correct sequence, untill they will hold 55 ft. lbs. torque.

10-28-2013, 09:25 AM	#6
Jeff/Illinois Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,973	Re: Weeping around head bolt Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Head gaskets seeping on Model A's must be the nature of the beast because just about every one I look at seems to have seepage! A local antique car 'restorer 'used to solve the problem with a crescent wrench and a good tug. He went out of business years ago from other 'fixes' he had devised!

10-28-2013, 02:40 PM	#7
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Weeping around head bolt After multiple torqueings & a jar of BARS-LEAKS, you "MIGHT" be good to go. These old cars are quite FORGIVING at times. Just make sure you're NOT getting water in the oil! Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

10-27-2013, 10:49 PM	#1
Afordman31 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 593	Weeping around head bolt Replaced the head gasket, (copper type) on a Model A I used a different head than what was on the block to begin with. The block wasn't decked or the head resurfaced. Getting weeping (wet around some of the head bolts.) Only water has been put in, not anti-freeze yet. Should I have used copper gold spray on the gasket before installing it?

10-27-2013, 11:17 PM	#2
700rpm Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 6,039	Re: Weeping around head bolt You should have used something on the gasket. I usually use Copper-coat. A little Permatex #2 on the head bolts helps also. __________________ Ray Horton, Portland, OR As you go through life, keep your eye on the donut, not the hole.

10-28-2013, 05:50 PM	#8
TJSHOW Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Virginia Posts: 5	Re: Weeping around head bolt I had one leaking and read the same post Ed is referring to above. About 8 wraps of dental floss did the trick. No more leak!

10-28-2013, 07:57 PM	#9
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: Weeping around head bolt Sooner or later rust on the stud will stop the leak.

10-28-2013, 11:02 PM	#11
ford3 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: oroville calif. Posts: 1,453	Re: Weeping around head bolt basicly if the water leak is not on the outside of the head its not a head gasket, the best way to stop head stud leaks is to prevent them in the first place, seal all the studs before installing the head, when ever the head is removed check to see if its warped, and when removing a head remove the head bolts in the opposit direction as when it was torqued, that will eliminate a lot of head warpage, and the subsequent water leaks

10-30-2013, 01:09 PM	#12
Afordman31 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 593	Re: Weeping around head bolt Thank you for all the replies to the weeping around the head bolts. We ran the engine the next day and the head bolts didn't have any seepage. Go figure!