Is This B.S. ?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,642
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From: Suwanee,Ga
Is This B.S. ?
We have water appearing out of both head studs at #1 cylinder.
Motor Head partner says it’s not abnormal and put a can of stop leak in the radiator, and don’t worry.
I worry. That sounds a bit like.... “ Crap I screwed up... hope this works” ... to me?
Haven't looked under the Valve covers yet....... need the cocktail hour to bolster.
Any experience with this?
Thanks
TJM
Motor Head partner says it’s not abnormal and put a can of stop leak in the radiator, and don’t worry.
I worry. That sounds a bit like.... “ Crap I screwed up... hope this works” ... to me?
Haven't looked under the Valve covers yet....... need the cocktail hour to bolster.
Any experience with this?
Thanks
TJM
Suckin' gas, haulin' ass.
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 8
From: Newport News Virginia
I'm pretty sure that some head bolt holes in SBCs go into water jackets. New head bolts come with a sealant on them to prevent them from leaking.
That sort of fix in a can may stop a leak, but it also clogs radiators and heater cores, and whatever other small passages exist in the cooling system.
That sort of fix in a can may stop a leak, but it also clogs radiators and heater cores, and whatever other small passages exist in the cooling system.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
We have water appearing out of both head studs at #1 cylinder.
Motor Head partner says it’s not abnormal and put a can of stop leak in the radiator, and don’t worry.
I worry. That sounds a bit like.... “ Crap I screwed up... hope this works” ... to me?
Haven't looked under the Valve covers yet....... need the cocktail hour to bolster.
Any experience with this?
Thanks
TJM
Motor Head partner says it’s not abnormal and put a can of stop leak in the radiator, and don’t worry.
I worry. That sounds a bit like.... “ Crap I screwed up... hope this works” ... to me?
Haven't looked under the Valve covers yet....... need the cocktail hour to bolster.
Any experience with this?
Thanks
TJM
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 0
From: Suwanee,Ga
Their studs not bolts... small difference I guess.
Our Motor Head is an ARP freak.
Steel heads. Brand new build. maybe 20 miles on it....
Not fond of the idea of Stop Leak in a brand new everything
Any opinions on pulling one at a time sealing and re-install??
TJM
motor. Just built up from our last fisacoe
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 15,344
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From: Texas
Not a big deal. You could drain the coolant, remove the offending stud, and then apply sealer to the threads before reinstalling. If you have several that are leaking, only R&R one at a time in order to prevent the head gasket from walking.
Btw...do you mean aluminum heads? There are iron heads and aluminum heads...no steel heads.
Btw...do you mean aluminum heads? There are iron heads and aluminum heads...no steel heads.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 0
From: Suwanee,Ga
Not a big deal. You could drain the coolant, remove the offending stud, and then apply sealer to the threads before reinstalling. If you have several that are leaking, only R&R one at a time in order to prevent the head gasket from walking.
Btw...do you mean aluminum heads? There are iron heads and aluminum heads...no steel heads.
Btw...do you mean aluminum heads? There are iron heads and aluminum heads...no steel heads.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 0
From: Suwanee,Ga
We just did the new motor a second time after holing a newly machined piston ... so I worry.....
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Lorena Texas
[QUOTE=96GS#007;1579603492]Not a big deal. You could drain the coolant, remove the offending stud, and then apply sealer to the threads before reinstalling. If you have several that are leaking, only R&R one at a time in order to prevent the head gasket from walking.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
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Likes: 22
I'd worry.
But, I'd try to seal the individual bolt/studs IF they will come out, and if they will NOT....bolt it up and drive it..
DO NOT listen to your "Buddy" that has ZERO $$$$ invested in THIS engine when he tells you to put TRASH like stop leak in YOUR new build.
Thats asinine. Thats bubba mechanics at its finest.
ANY type of stop leak will block steam vents, water passages in heads where gaskets overhang the stop leaks will finish the job and cause that area to FRY with no fresh water flowing.
A wet spot around studs is normal. They are supposed to be sealed before assembly...but obviously someone didn't read that page. Chances are that they will corrode or seal off with what little trash is in the system.
Go ahead and run it and don;t worry unless the oil gets foamy OR you start loosing coolant. Check dipstick everyday for awhile and pcv for foaming. if none, forget about it.
But, I'd try to seal the individual bolt/studs IF they will come out, and if they will NOT....bolt it up and drive it..
DO NOT listen to your "Buddy" that has ZERO $$$$ invested in THIS engine when he tells you to put TRASH like stop leak in YOUR new build.
Thats asinine. Thats bubba mechanics at its finest.
ANY type of stop leak will block steam vents, water passages in heads where gaskets overhang the stop leaks will finish the job and cause that area to FRY with no fresh water flowing.
A wet spot around studs is normal. They are supposed to be sealed before assembly...but obviously someone didn't read that page. Chances are that they will corrode or seal off with what little trash is in the system.
Go ahead and run it and don;t worry unless the oil gets foamy OR you start loosing coolant. Check dipstick everyday for awhile and pcv for foaming. if none, forget about it.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2011
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 14
From: Stafford Connecticut
Most engine machine shops have have sealant tablets they put in the block for coolant leaks.They are the same tablets that GM has used for years in their new motors.I believe they are made out of crushed walnut shells.I have seen them stop some pretty good leaks at my friends engine machine shop.They will not clog anything up like stop leak.I would drain the coolant pull the leaking studs and reseal as suggested.I've seen this done at my friends machine shop.It's not uncommon when using studs to have a leak.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Database Error Indiana
Remove the studs, smear some sealer on the threads and reinstall. If you did not use any sealer, do them all now. Ive been using RTV for this since it came out with no problems.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,642
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From: Suwanee,Ga
Motor Head again... actually it's his motor. He is the POWER guy, I pay for everything else.
So when it goes it's his problem.... like the pistons issue on Build #1 .
Old set of very High Dollar pistons, but 13:1. So he machines the crowns. " No Problem.. Don't worry".
Dyno break in .. and into the car and WOW look at all that Blow By!?!?!?
Melted a hole in one.. four others showing softening...
Surprise!! Some pistons have heat treating .. and Surprise!!! its a couple of mills thick [ apparently] .
So I will research until I am satisfied it's ... " No Problem ".
Thanks for the input.
TJM
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,642
Likes: 0
From: Suwanee,Ga
Most engine machine shops have have sealant tablets they put in the block for coolant leaks.They are the same tablets that GM has used for years in their new motors.I believe they are made out of crushed walnut shells.I have seen them stop some pretty good leaks at my friends engine machine shop.They will not clog anything up like stop leak.I would drain the coolant pull the leaking studs and reseal as suggested.I've seen this done at my friends machine shop.It's not uncommon when using studs to have a leak.
I have some of those on the shelf? 10 years old?? But I know what you mean.
Thanks for jogging the memory for a minute!!!