The Ford Barn

91A-77B · 03-27-2024, 10:57 AM

I recently had my 59A completely rebuilt. Block was baked, magnafluxed, etc. When I first fired it up, several of the head studs were dripping coolant. After running, I re-torqued the heads (vintage Navarros with dead-flat decks) 3 times @ 45#. I now have 3 that keep on dripping after about a total of one hour running. Questions: is this normal? Should I keep running it and hope they'll somehow seal themselves up? Should I pull the studs and re-seal? Any other ideas? Thanks for your help.

Kube · 03-27-2024, 11:01 AM

Was there any type of thread sealant applied to the studs when installing them to the block?
I believe most of us apply our favorite sealant in that area.

Usually, the small leaks will stop on their own. If not, adding a block sealant that remains in motion (unless needed in a specific area) will most certainly do the trick.
I have used Alumaseal, an aluminum-based powder, with very good results.

richard crow · 03-27-2024, 11:14 AM

when the warm weather comes run the car on water in rad. they will stop

deuce_roadster · 03-27-2024, 12:31 PM

What Kube said x2.

Ronnieroadster · 03-27-2024, 02:35 PM

Sodium Silicate will seal them perfectly as well AKA Water Glass once the water temp reaches 140 degrees.
Ronnieroadster

v8fordman · 03-27-2024, 08:32 PM

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Thread sealer would have solved the problem but most likely after a few heat cycles, it will stop as Kube stated.

91A-77B · 03-30-2024, 06:49 AM

Thanks for your advice, guys. I drained the coolant and refilled with distilled water, then put in a bottle of 2-part Rislone Cooling System Repair, and ran it for about 15 minutes. In all the books I've read, and rebuilders I've talked to, I never heard of leaking studs. And thanks to CharlieNY for explaining why it happens.

Shoebox · 03-30-2024, 10:48 AM

"I drained the coolant and refilled with distilled water, then put in a bottle of 2-part Rislone Cooling System Repair, and ran it for about 15 minutes."

So, are we to assume this fixed your issue, just asking?

91A-77B · 03-30-2024, 01:18 PM

Hope so, Shoebox. A bit early to say. I'll run it a few more times before inserting it into my 37, and report back to you guys who were good enough to send your suggestions.

Bored&Stroked · 03-30-2024, 04:40 PM

I use a water-glass type product as Ronnie mentioned. I buy Moroso Ceramic-Seal . . . getting it from Jegs. You must follow the instructions and use clean water. If your engine already has anti-freeze, then you'll need to go back to straight water - and I'd "rinse it through" a couple times - before using the ceramic seal. Also, drain the ceramic seal as they recommend - right after you get done with the running of the engine.

alchemy · 03-31-2024, 10:29 AM

Many references to guys retapping the stud holes to “clean” them when rebuilding engines. But the holes are built with a tighter tolerance than the taps used, and are as such opened up too much. A source of this weeping.

91A-77B · 04-03-2024, 05:35 PM

Tanks again, all. I'll give the Rislone a while to do its thing. That failing, I'll follow other suggestions you've made.

03-27-2024, 10:57 AM	#1
91A-77B Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontario Canada Posts: 118	Leaking Head Studs I recently had my 59A completely rebuilt. Block was baked, magnafluxed, etc. When I first fired it up, several of the head studs were dripping coolant. After running, I re-torqued the heads (vintage Navarros with dead-flat decks) 3 times @ 45#. I now have 3 that keep on dripping after about a total of one hour running. Questions: is this normal? Should I keep running it and hope they'll somehow seal themselves up? Should I pull the studs and re-seal? Any other ideas? Thanks for your help.

03-27-2024, 11:01 AM	#2
Kube Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 9,007	Re: Leaking Head Studs Was there any type of thread sealant applied to the studs when installing them to the block? I believe most of us apply our favorite sealant in that area. Usually, the small leaks will stop on their own. If not, adding a block sealant that remains in motion (unless needed in a specific area) will most certainly do the trick. I have used Alumaseal, an aluminum-based powder, with very good results. __________________ "I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".

03-27-2024, 11:14 AM	#3
richard crow Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,770	Re: Leaking Head Studs when the warm weather comes run the car on water in rad. they will stop

03-27-2024, 12:31 PM	#4
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: Leaking Head Studs What Kube said x2.

03-27-2024, 02:35 PM	#5
Ronnieroadster Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: East Coast in CT Posts: 1,529	Re: Leaking Head Studs Sodium Silicate will seal them perfectly as well AKA Water Glass once the water temp reaches 140 degrees. Ronnieroadster __________________ I use the F word a lot no not that word these words Flathead , Focus and Finish. "Life Member of the Bonneville 200 MPH Club using a Ford Flathead block" Owner , Builder, Driver of the First Ford Flathead bodied roadster to run 200 MPH Record July 13, 2018 LTA timing association 200.921 in one and a half miles burning gasoline. First ever gas burning Ford flathead powered roadster to run 200 MPH at Bonneville Salt Flats setting the record August 7th 2021 at 205.744 MPH

03-27-2024, 08:32 PM	#6
v8fordman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lexington, NC Posts: 861	Re: Leaking Head Studs Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thread sealer would have solved the problem but most likely after a few heat cycles, it will stop as Kube stated.

03-30-2024, 06:49 AM	#7
91A-77B Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontario Canada Posts: 118	Re: Leaking Head Studs Thanks for your advice, guys. I drained the coolant and refilled with distilled water, then put in a bottle of 2-part Rislone Cooling System Repair, and ran it for about 15 minutes. In all the books I've read, and rebuilders I've talked to, I never heard of leaking studs. And thanks to CharlieNY for explaining why it happens.

03-30-2024, 10:48 AM	#8
Shoebox Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Holmen,Wisconsin Posts: 787	Re: Leaking Head Studs "I drained the coolant and refilled with distilled water, then put in a bottle of 2-part Rislone Cooling System Repair, and ran it for about 15 minutes." So, are we to assume this fixed your issue, just asking? __________________ I went, I saw, I bought the T shirt 51 Ford Deluxe Tudor 32 Ford roadster 39 Mercury Towncar

03-30-2024, 01:18 PM	#9
91A-77B Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontario Canada Posts: 118	Re: Leaking Head Studs Hope so, Shoebox. A bit early to say. I'll run it a few more times before inserting it into my 37, and report back to you guys who were good enough to send your suggestions.

03-30-2024, 04:40 PM	#10
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,068	Re: Leaking Head Studs I use a water-glass type product as Ronnie mentioned. I buy Moroso Ceramic-Seal . . . getting it from Jegs. You must follow the instructions and use clean water. If your engine already has anti-freeze, then you'll need to go back to straight water - and I'd "rinse it through" a couple times - before using the ceramic seal. Also, drain the ceramic seal as they recommend - right after you get done with the running of the engine.

03-31-2024, 10:29 AM	#11
alchemy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: middle of Iowa Posts: 647	Re: Leaking Head Studs Many references to guys retapping the stud holes to “clean” them when rebuilding engines. But the holes are built with a tighter tolerance than the taps used, and are as such opened up too much. A source of this weeping.

04-03-2024, 05:35 PM	#12
91A-77B Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Niagara-on-the-Lake Ontario Canada Posts: 118	Re: Leaking Head Studs Tanks again, all. I'll give the Rislone a while to do its thing. That failing, I'll follow other suggestions you've made.