Coolant Leak

[Jim Shepard]

I took the ol' truck out for an extended drive yesterday (about 50 mi.). Everything seemed fine, but when I got home I discovered a coolant leak coming out of the bolts that go through the manifold and into the coolant passages. Is the fix as simple as re-torquing the bolts or do I need to apply some kind of sealant on the threads?

[grey beard]

Jim,

what it's gonna take to fix the leak epends whether or not you selaed 'em when you built it up. Were it me, I'd pull the offending leakers one at a time and seal the threads with a little #1 Permatex or gasket shellac. That old stuff has been a "never fail" for me over the years. Teflon tape seems to affect torque too much for manifold bolts. JMHO:)

[Jim Shepard]

Thanks. I'll try that. I already tried re-torquing and that didn't work...

[Don Coatney]

Jim;

I believe there are only two bolts used on the manifold and the other eleven are studs. I used teflon tape on the course threaded portion of the studs where they screw in to the block. This does not effect the torque values as the torque is done on the external nut and these nuts have fine threads. You do not want to over torque the manifold as it is designed to float somewhat with heat expansion.

[Jim Shepard]

Thanks. I did the ol' Permatex thing today and I think that's got it. I'll know for sure tomorrow when I fire it up...