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Old 04-07-2021, 08:22 AM   #1
chrs1961815
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Default Coolant Seepage at front of head

So I got the Roadster running for the year and it has been running great but I am getting a fair amount of seepage at the front of the head. I am running a 6:1 high compression head from Snyders that was checked for flatness. I used a graphite gasket and I run 50/50 antifreeze.

Do you think it is time for a new head gasket? If so, should I go back to copper?
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Old 04-07-2021, 08:39 AM   #2
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Default Re: Coolant Seepage at front of head

The head was flat, but what was the status of the block? Also what if anything did you use as a sealant for the gasket?
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Old 04-07-2021, 09:32 AM   #3
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Default Re: Coolant Seepage at front of head

The block was level but has some pitting. I sprsyed the gasket with some permatex copper.
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Old 04-07-2021, 09:52 AM   #4
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Default Re: Coolant Seepage at front of head

My first question is have you retorqued the head since installation?
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Old 04-07-2021, 09:53 AM   #5
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Default Re: Coolant Seepage at front of head

Do you think there's a chance that the 11 & 13 studs are under-tightened?
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Old 04-07-2021, 10:32 AM   #6
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Default Re: Coolant Seepage at front of head

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The engine was rebuilt by me last Spring. I retorqued it several times until no more adjustment. I think I will start it back up and see if I can squeeze anything out.
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Old 04-07-2021, 10:33 AM   #7
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Default Re: Coolant Seepage at front of head

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Do you think there's a chance that the 11 & 13 studs are under-tightened?
No, I think the entire head gasket may have "settled in" since initial installation if he has not retorqued it. Simple check is all.

I run Graphtite head gaskets with no sealant and no leakage. But I do check my nuts once in a while.
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Old 04-07-2021, 12:59 PM   #8
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Default Re: Coolant Seepage at front of head

Are you certain it is seepage from the head gasket joint? If at the front of the engine, could overflow from the radiator be picked up by the fan and depositing it at the front of the engine? I just went through that on my rebuilt engine, and thought I had a leak until I realized I had overfilled the radiator and it was "seeking its own level." Coolant was being expunged from the overflow pipe, getting picked up by the fan, deposited at the front of the engine, and dribbling down the front of the block. It looked like a leak at the front head gasket joint but fortunately was not. Just a thought.... And the fact that I drive real fast probably kept the coolant from just dropping straight to the ground.

Last edited by Greg Jones; 04-07-2021 at 01:17 PM. Reason: added information
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Old 04-07-2021, 01:05 PM   #9
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Default Re: Coolant Seepage at front of head

I would retorque the head as a check. Should be done annually anyway. I know you live in a cold area but it is a lot of work to change the head gasket. Consider using water with Prestone Anti - Rust and Water Pump lubricant and drain out during the winter. Ed
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Old 04-07-2021, 04:48 PM   #10
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Default Re: Coolant Seepage at front of head

Greg Jones raises a good point. Are you sure the coolant isn't coming from the water pump? The usual place for these motor to leak from the head gasket is along the passenger side of the block/head above the engine number.
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Old 04-07-2021, 04:54 PM   #11
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Default Re: Coolant Seepage at front of head

I warmed it up for a good 15 or so minutes. Coolant is definetely leaking from front of head as the car was stationary the whole time. Once it got hot I tried to torque the nuts on the front and got a little off of the water outlet studs and a little on the waterpump as well. Whether or not that will make a difference is up in the air, will have to check tomorrow.
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Old 04-07-2021, 05:15 PM   #12
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Default Re: Coolant Seepage at front of head

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I warmed it up for a good 15 or so minutes. Coolant is definetely leaking from front of head as the car was stationary the whole time. Once it got hot I tried to torque the nuts on the front and got a little off of the water outlet studs and a little on the waterpump as well. Whether or not that will make a difference is up in the air, will have to check tomorrow.
Recheck the torque when it has cooled down.
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Old 04-07-2021, 07:30 PM   #13
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Default Re: Coolant Seepage at front of head

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Greg Jones raises a good point. Are you sure the coolant isn't coming from the water pump? The usual place for these motor to leak from the head gasket is along the passenger side of the block/head above the engine number.

Synchro,

You’re from Australia, correct? So, that would be on the driver side for those of us in the USA?


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Old 04-07-2021, 07:34 PM   #14
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Default Re: Coolant Seepage at front of head

Tomorrow I will check the torque cold and start it up to make sure the leak is actually coming from the head gasket and not the water pump.
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Old 04-07-2021, 08:00 PM   #15
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Default Re: Coolant Seepage at front of head

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Synchro,

You’re from Australia, correct? So, that would be on the driver side for those of us in the USA?


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Yes, I am in Australia and my reference to the LHS as the passenger side, while correct was done intentionally to point out the problem some less experienced people in RHD countries can have with the way you guys talk about the different sides. Here, it is right side or left. I did clarify that I was talking about the LHS by referring to the engine number pad.
I once asked a vendor whether they would pay the cost of an engine rebuild if someone here put the con rods on with the scoop facing the passenger side as their instructions said. They didn't even seem to understand the problem.
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Old 04-08-2021, 11:38 PM   #16
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Default Re: Coolant Seepage at front of head

I was always told the dippers point toward the camshaft or is the camshaft moved to the other side also?
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Old 04-09-2021, 01:40 AM   #17
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Default Re: Coolant Seepage at front of head

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I was always told the dippers point toward the camshaft or is the camshaft moved to the other side also?
That was my suggestion to the vendor. Water off a duck's back, I'm afraid.
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Old 04-09-2021, 09:06 AM   #18
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Default Re: Coolant Seepage at front of head

If it's a copper head gasket I always put something like "Indian Head Shellac" in the water passages cutouts. The shellac seals the center soft layer and prevents water from seeping thru the fiber layer.
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Old 04-09-2021, 03:29 PM   #19
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Default Re: Coolant Seepage at front of head

I got a head from snyders a couple years ago that had a small casting sand hole ,I used a nickel rod and just touched it with welder no more leak,I'm sure snyders would have given me a another but it was easier to repair than to replace
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Old 04-09-2021, 04:33 PM   #20
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Default Re: Coolant Seepage at front of head

Leak is definetely coming from head gasket. No more torque to be had. What next?
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