The Ford Barn

C26Pinelake · 03-21-2012, 08:51 PM

I noticed when taking my car out of storage that over the winter there is a small amount of antifreeze ( about size of a nickle ) at one of the head bolts. Should I wait to see if it gets worse or what should I do now. Should I be concerned ?
Thanks wayne

bogdonj · 03-21-2012, 08:55 PM

I would re torque the head and see if that helps. Make sure you use the recommended sequence and tighten to 55 ftpounds Is it a newer engine or hasn't been touched?

Colorado Greg · 03-21-2012, 08:59 PM

What is the level of antifreeze like in the radiator? How much fluid has leaked out?

I would re-torque the head, change the oil to see if there's any water in the oil, pull the plugs and spin the engine by hand to make sure the cylinders aren't full of water. Guess it all depends upon how much fluid has been lost.

heneste · 03-22-2012, 02:50 PM

Definitely re-torque the head.
When I had my motor rebuilt, during the first few hours of running one or two of the head bolts had weeping up the threads. It was explained to me that antifreeze will leak easier than plain water and that once the corrosion builds up, the weeping should stop.
With the outside temperatures changing quite alot, you could also have the nuts or head bolts changing size slightly and causing small clearances.

If not, you could try a thread sealer and re-torque the head.

steve s · 03-22-2012, 04:22 PM

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That happened to me once with a new rebuild. The rebuilder suggested lowering the coolant, removing the nut, put a dab of blue silicone around the hole, retorque nut.

It worked, but I have no idea how good an idea it is otherwise. Surely, the silicone must mess with the torque readings. Also, if you go this route, do it all in one session; don't let the engine sit with one stud unbuttoned.

Steve

03-21-2012, 08:51 PM	#1
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Small bit of antifreeze on head ?? I noticed when taking my car out of storage that over the winter there is a small amount of antifreeze ( about size of a nickle ) at one of the head bolts. Should I wait to see if it gets worse or what should I do now. Should I be concerned ? Thanks wayne

03-21-2012, 08:55 PM	#2
bogdonj Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Walkerton, Ont. Canada Posts: 623	Re: Small bit of antifreeze on head ?? I would re torque the head and see if that helps. Make sure you use the recommended sequence and tighten to 55 ftpounds Is it a newer engine or hasn't been touched? __________________ _________________________________________ 1931 Ford Model A Tudor 1930 Ford Model A Deluxe Roadster 1930 Ford Original Rolling Chassis- Restoring

03-21-2012, 08:59 PM	#3
Colorado Greg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Littleton, Colorado Posts: 241	Re: Small bit of antifreeze on head ?? What is the level of antifreeze like in the radiator? How much fluid has leaked out? I would re-torque the head, change the oil to see if there's any water in the oil, pull the plugs and spin the engine by hand to make sure the cylinders aren't full of water. Guess it all depends upon how much fluid has been lost. __________________ "Betsy doesn't leak oil - she just marks her spot"

03-22-2012, 02:50 PM	#4
heneste Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ottawa,Ontario, Canada Posts: 271	Re: Small bit of antifreeze on head ?? Definitely re-torque the head. When I had my motor rebuilt, during the first few hours of running one or two of the head bolts had weeping up the threads. It was explained to me that antifreeze will leak easier than plain water and that once the corrosion builds up, the weeping should stop. With the outside temperatures changing quite alot, you could also have the nuts or head bolts changing size slightly and causing small clearances. If not, you could try a thread sealer and re-torque the head.

03-22-2012, 04:22 PM	#5
steve s Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kalamazoo Posts: 1,656	Re: Small bit of antifreeze on head ?? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) That happened to me once with a new rebuild. The rebuilder suggested lowering the coolant, removing the nut, put a dab of blue silicone around the hole, retorque nut. It worked, but I have no idea how good an idea it is otherwise. Surely, the silicone must mess with the torque readings. Also, if you go this route, do it all in one session; don't let the engine sit with one stud unbuttoned. Steve