MrPbody

I've been playing with SBC cars for 45 years or more, and this never bothered me before. I think hanging around the Corvette crew is starting to have an adverse effect on me.
anyway, what sealer do you use on the center two intake manifold bolts to keep them from weeping oil? I like to re-torque a replaced intake manifold after a few heat cycles, so silicone really doesn't work to seal the bolts themselves. Permagasket doesn't seem to take the heat well, and seems to "melt" out of the threads.
I'm tired of dabbing out the few drops of oil that gather there after every couple tanks of gas.


Russ

VetteRed1965

Thread sealer from your local auto parts

MikeM

Hey Peebody. This isn't a Corvette problem. This is an operator problem. Buy you an engine service manual and it'll tell you to use sealer on all the bolts that are not blind holes. That is usually all of them except the ones on the four corners.

In the meantime Permatex #2 aviation sealer works well. OMC makes a similar sealer as well.

MrPbody

Oh h#ll. it's not worth it.
[Post removed.]

Russ

Silver '65

I had this exact same problem a few years ago.

The oil c an actually back out up the bolt threads.

I took the advice that was posted above - Permatex or Lithium Grease thread sealer, one treatment, and I've never had a problem in 8 years.

Mike Geary

Russ:

Do you have a cast iron intake?

They tend to shrink up in the center, because of the exhaust gas crossover.

Had the same oil pooling problem on a '65 300hp and getting the intake machined cured it.

Mike

MrPbody

Thanks Mike.
I'm using an old TM1 (no heat crossover) on a warmed over 69 350.
[hold on a second wile MikeM catches up. he'll need time to Google TM1 ]………..
The oil is migrating up the threads of the center two bolts on each side just enough to leave a dab of oil per 100 miles or so. I've used the usual "fixes", but it still persists.
Thanks for your input.

Russ

Hitch

Russ, I'm glad I'm not the only one..

I usually use Thread sealer and then a washer under the bolt head to prevent oil wicking up the threads. If you've already tried that then I'm at a loss.

Hitch

MrPbody

I haven't tried the washer, but that gives me an idea. I wonder if a soft copper washer would do the trick?….. huuummmm.
I'll have to go look and see if that area is machined, or just cast, on this intake.


Russ

narlee

I picked up some ARP thread sealer quite a while back and it works great. Probably any brand would work fine.

Mike67nv

I've had good luck with ARP Thread Sealer also - no wicking after three years. No washer necessary. Available from Summit for about $10.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/arp-100-9904

Hitch

Russ,

I usually use a washer, lock washer and the bolt nothing special and the thread sealer. I don't think you need to get fancy with a copper washer.

Hitch

W Guy

I've always used Permatex Hi-Tack (the red stuff) on any bolt that goes into oil or water. It never hardens so it can be retorqued without breaking the seal and creating a leak. It comes in a little can with a brush applicator.

Verne

csysman

I have tried most of the above recommendations as far as sealers - none really stopped
the wicking ... so I thought maybe the bolts have stretched over the years and went to HomeDepot bought 4 grade 8 bolts to replace the old ones ... no leaks after 200 mies ,
keeping my fingers crossed (L79 )

Westlotorn

Fel-Pro used to make a product called Grey Bolt Prep, it was a great thread sealer and low grade lock compound. They quit making this back in 1998, sold it to Permatex as I recall but I do not know if the product was ever sold as a permatex branded product. I bought 10 tubes of the Grey bolt prep when I heard it was going away, I am now down to the last tube and looking forward to a good answer to this question. The product was great for Head bolts and Manifold bolts.

Old Blazer

I know! I know! I have one on my LT-1. Don't worry I'll not give it away..MikeM will still need to goggle it!

MrPbody

I needed to order some parts from Summit yesterday, so I added a tube of the ARP sealer to the order. I'll let ya'all know how/if it does the trick.
The more I drive this 64, the better I like it. the wife and I drove it 30 miles or so yesterday to a little town East of us because it has a pharmacy that sells home made ice cream.


Russ

PS: that was mean Old Blazer….

wmf62

let me guess... Tarantula?
Bill

Old Blazer

Yep, not the most street friendly manifold though. I just bought an Air Gap dual plane manifold to try for better low speed manners.

MrPbody

What rear gears are you using OB?
with 4.11s, my 350 with TM1 and small cam sing a sweet song out the side pipes wilst rowing through the gears. no problem chugging around town even. I will admit that the Air Gap is a much more versatile piece however. not a thing wrong with that one.

Russ