Chapter 2: "YIKES! Out of the clear blue, Vicky started leaking"

[BillEbob]

Could NOT locate leak. Finally decided to give P.O. a telephone call and see what light HE could shed on this situation.

He knew EXACTLY what was wrong: weeping from head. He removed the head from the newly rebuilt engine and changed it with a Braumfield (sp?) head. He put on a new copper head gasket >> DRY. He said he had trouble with it leaking from various places around the head -- so, he put "something" (didn't remember product name) down the radiator. Said it took care of the 'obvious' problem for him.

Along comes me, first thing I did was change the oil and flush the radiator. Radiator 'coolant' came out a brick red color. I kept flushing with distilled water until it ran clear. Once it quit dripping, I closed petcock and added a gallon of Prestone and 2 gallons of distilled water.

No problems.

Two weeks later (@ 100 miles added) it begins leaking. Now you're all up to speed.

I'm guessing at this juncture I should remove the head (checking that the deck shows no warpage) and replace the copper gasket.

Thought I should spray on 3 coats per side of Permatex (brand) Copper spray-a-gasket prior to re-installing the head.

Are we all in agreement?

Let the choir say A-men!

Bil in Albuquerque

[BillEbob]

Let me know whatchu' all think. (I KNOW Williamson will!!)

This Bill

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

After you're done, be SURE to do MULTIPLE RE-TORQUEINGS---First one after running 10 minutes or so! After some miles, torque it cold & DON'T back off the head nuts!!!--Keep doing re torques, until NONE of take any tightening. Get an off-set wrench for the one under the distributor.
Bill W.

[Big hammer]

Toque and retoque until your nuts stop moving! 1/2 vial of radiator stop leak. Enjoy :-)

[JDupuis]

A-MEN.....
Copper spray that gasket. Jeff

[1931 flamingo]

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Before you pull it apart, do like the others have suggested and re-torque the head MULTIPLE times. Do a search here also as Larry has stated many times what gasket to use and the torque value. Forget the gasket now and re-torque.
Can't believe you couldn't see/find the leak.
Paul in CT

[Big hammer]

Earlier this year I thought I had a head gasket leaking :-( Torqued the nuts had a couple move 1/8 of a turn, cleaned the mess from the gasket area and went for along ride ! All is got now :-)

[art ebeling]

Bill. Before you install the new gasket go to Vince Falters Model A Ford Garage website and read "Brumfield cylinder head gasket installation" by Larry Brumfield. Larry Brumfield recommends only one gasket and has a different torque sequence procedure. Mine leaked like yours until I followed Larry's instructions.

[1931 flamingo]

Larry asked me to refer you to the above instructions on Vince's site, also do a search here for posts by :Larry Brumfield.
You'll be happy .
Paul in CT

[CWPASADENA]

I always use spray copper coat on head gaskets. I clean the head and block with lacquer thinner or acetone. I spray both sides of the gasket with 2-3 coats and put everything together while the copper coat is wet. Torque and re-torque. Be sure to use hardened studs, they really make a difference.

Just my opinion.

Chris W.

[BillEbob]

Originally Posted by art ebeling

Bill. Before you install the new gasket go to Vince Falters Model A Ford Garage website and read "Brumfield cylinder head gasket installation" by Larry Brumfield. Larry Brumfield recommends only one gasket and has a different torque sequence procedure. Mine leaked like yours until I followed Larry's instructions.

Art,

Thanks a million! I look forward to having this problem behind me❗

I will check out that site post haste‼️

Bill

[art ebeling]

Bill , Before I put the new headgasket on I slid masking paper between the copper edges and middle to mask the copper and srayed a dusting of high temp white paint on the middle filler. Makes a great look and may also seal the edges.

[BillEbob]

Art,

I torqued down the head nuts this afternoon. Began at 35 lbs and increased to 55.
Number 8 was little better than finger tight! All took some tightening. The requirements of the Christmas season kept me from driving the car to heat it up. Hopefully, I will find some time tomorrow to do so, after which, I will re-torque the nuts.

What is the maximum footpounds you (all) recommend for the Brumfield head? I read on FordGarage.com where Ford did not publish actual torque values but as much as 65 lb-ft was mentioned for a high compression head.

There is a temperature sensor installed in the filler neck (for temp gauge), which I was required to remove to tighten the nut on that side of the neck. The water level was still above that point (a very good thing) because I had a really good gush of coolant escape when sensor was removed; therefore, '1931 flamingo,' the amount of coolant lost was not too significant and THAT was why I couldn't see the leak.

ABQ Bill (not that Bill!)

[art ebeling]

I torqued to 65 lbs on new studs.