The Ford Barn

dean from bozeman · 05-28-2015, 05:33 PM

A buddy of mine had just put a newly machined head back on a Model A. After running it a bit to warm it up (before further torquing the head nuts), I noticed that there was a drop or two of water oozing out by a couple of the head bolts/nuts. Need info on causes and solutions for this problem.
How common is this problem?
Thanks.
Dean

Chuck Sea/Tac · 05-28-2015, 05:43 PM

Fairly common, the"blind" hole ,is no longer blind but is leaking into the water jacket. The studs need permatex #2,in the block threads, or use some stop leak. Barr's P/N 1196 for non pressurized systems.

CarlG · 05-28-2015, 05:47 PM

This is typically caused by the threads in the block for the head studs have been punched thru to the water jacket. There are various reasons for this, but the best way to stop the water seepage is to coat the threads of the studs with a sealant prior to screwing them in to the block. (which I do to all the studs, leaking or not).

At this point it would require you to drain the water down & take the offending studs out (one at a time) and coat the threads with sealant (I use the Permatex Black) & put them back in.

If you don't want to go to that much trouble, you can also just remove the nut, wrap the stud with dental floss and put the nut back on.

You did ask for causes:
• If Helicoils are present, it's a good bet that they were drilled too deep, through the bottom of the hole.
• If the threads were ever "chased", they could have been chased a little too much and the bottom broke out.
• Sometimes they just rust through. It's pretty thin down there anyway.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 05-28-2015, 07:03 PM

BARS-LEAKS!
Bill W.

Mitch//pa · 05-28-2015, 07:25 PM

give it some time it will stop on its own... i try to stay away from mechanic in a can fixes if at all possible...

zzlegend · 05-28-2015, 07:38 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

give it some time it will stop on its own... i try to stay away from mechanic in a can fixes if at all possible...

X2 on this. No good to put some thing in a good flowing cooling system.

Mitch//pa · 05-28-2015, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzlegend

X2 on this. No good to put some thing in a good flowing cooling system.

exactly

my new motor leaked out 2 of the studs, just kept wiping it off and it sealed itself after some use

1931 flamingo · 05-29-2015, 06:06 PM

Try torqueing the head 2 or 3 times.
Paul in CT

brito36 · 05-29-2015, 06:57 PM

Dean, This is a fairly common occurrence. I now use permatex when installing the head studs. I also torque the head at least three times, and add a bottle of Barr's to the system. It has always worked for me, as I never had any leaks..

05-28-2015, 05:33 PM	#1
dean from bozeman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bozeman, Montana Posts: 997	Antifreeze around head bolt A buddy of mine had just put a newly machined head back on a Model A. After running it a bit to warm it up (before further torquing the head nuts), I noticed that there was a drop or two of water oozing out by a couple of the head bolts/nuts. Need info on causes and solutions for this problem. How common is this problem? Thanks. Dean

05-28-2015, 05:47 PM	#3
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Antifreeze around head bolt This is typically caused by the threads in the block for the head studs have been punched thru to the water jacket. There are various reasons for this, but the best way to stop the water seepage is to coat the threads of the studs with a sealant prior to screwing them in to the block. (which I do to all the studs, leaking or not). At this point it would require you to drain the water down & take the offending studs out (one at a time) and coat the threads with sealant (I use the Permatex Black) & put them back in. If you don't want to go to that much trouble, you can also just remove the nut, wrap the stud with dental floss and put the nut back on. You did ask for causes: • If Helicoils are present, it's a good bet that they were drilled too deep, through the bottom of the hole. • If the threads were ever "chased", they could have been chased a little too much and the bottom broke out. • Sometimes they just rust through. It's pretty thin down there anyway. __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

05-28-2015, 07:03 PM	#4
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Antifreeze around head bolt BARS-LEAKS! Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

05-28-2015, 07:25 PM	#5
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Antifreeze around head bolt give it some time it will stop on its own... i try to stay away from mechanic in a can fixes if at all possible...

05-29-2015, 06:06 PM	#8
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Antifreeze around head bolt Try torqueing the head 2 or 3 times. Paul in CT

05-28-2015, 05:43 PM	#2
Chuck Sea/Tac Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Between Seattle & Tacoma Posts: 2,354	Re: Antifreeze around head bolt Fairly common, the"blind" hole ,is no longer blind but is leaking into the water jacket. The studs need permatex #2,in the block threads, or use some stop leak. Barr's P/N 1196 for non pressurized systems.

05-29-2015, 06:57 PM	#9
brito36 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Marengo. Illinois Posts: 262	Re: Antifreeze around head bolt Dean, This is a fairly common occurrence. I now use permatex when installing the head studs. I also torque the head at least three times, and add a bottle of Barr's to the system. It has always worked for me, as I never had any leaks..