I think I know the answer already but wanted some opinions. Some of you may recall I have a problem with just very small water seepage out of the heads on an engine I rebuilt a while back (93 LT1 with Alum heads). Apparently I didn't do something right because both heads have the same minor leak. After an hour of running the engine it's just enough for a few drops to make it's way down to the starter, but it's got to go.

I checked all the bolts and they are all torqued down. In fact, in checking with others, they should be torqued at 65lbs. I think I did them at 80lbs. Not sure it the overtightening may have contributed to the problem.

I have the valve covers and headers off. I'm debating to:

1. Loosen all the head bolts and just retorque in sequence and increments to 65lbs.

or

2. Pull the manifold and heads and replace the head gaskets being they have been "used/crushed" already. :eek:

Comments/Opinions/Suggestions.

Actually the only good thing about this so far was that while under the car I found a noise/clank I had before and was trying to track down. The driver side header (block hugger) was hitting the motor mount chrome dress-up plate. A few whacks with a good hammer and that's fixed at least. :smash:

Thanks!

 

It is not a very good practice to decide to over torque any fasteners , do a little research on the term elastic limit !!

 

Ram, thanks for the encouragement and insight! :D

 

You may have overstretched a bolt so it has lost some of its clamping force.

I hate to say this, but you are probably going to have to replace the gaskets. :rolleyes:

 

Did you put thread sealant on the lower bolts? I believe that some.all of these go into the water jacket.

 

Ouch - #@$% Thread sealer? !@#$...

What kind? Any suggestions. I already retorqued the bolts late this afternoon but I could pull it apart again real quick. If it needs it, I'll do it.

 

Joe, If you didn't use thread sealer, that's probably where your leak is coming from. Some people use silicon sealer, others use Loc-tite thread sealer.

 

All of the head bolts in small block Chevys go into the water jackets. There aren't any blind holes. If you didn't use any type of thread sealer, water will seep up past the threads.

I'd recommend a sealer like Permatex No. 2 or Teflon (TFE) paste on head bolt threads. Run a die down the bolts to clean the threads and run a tap into the holes in the block. Then slather the sealant on good.

Personally, I wouldn't remove head bolts--even one at a time in reverse order--then re-torque them on the same gaskets. You might be OK to do this but head gaskets are sort of important. Probably best to replace 'em.

 

Oh well, I tried. @#$% :mad

So, I gave it my best shot. I loosened the bolts then pulled them out one by one. I then put them back in with RTV Silicone Sealant on them. I then retorqued the heads in increments. Did both sides.

They don't leak as much, but it still has a tiny bit of seepage. Looks like I am going to have to pull the heads, replace the gaskets, and get some good thread sealer.

Bummer... I really hate to tear this thin back down. :smash:

 

Gotta say ditto on the Permatex No. 2. It's what I've always used and never had a leak, ever.