Helicoil pains

[RTC1930]

Looks like I goofed. After stripping the threads on one of the top flywheel housing bolt holes in the block I proceeded to drill and tap for a helicoil. I was careful to try and stop the drill from going much deeper than the existing hole for fear of hitting the water jacket. But now after putting 100 miles on the rebuild I noticed some coolant weeping from behind the flywheel bolt. Guess I will try some thread sealant on the bolt threads since its clear the bolt hole is now part of my water jacket... Bummer.

Bob NJ

[TinCup]

Did the same thing on my rebuild. Permatex will take care of it. Pretty common according to the boys in the club.

[Mike V. Florida]

Don't beat yourself up use permatex and it will me fine.

[MikeK]

Yea, the super high Model A radiator pressure ( 0 psi) will be a real challenge for the Permatex.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Before you go there, why not place some Stop-Leak into the cooling system?

I also add a small rubber hose to the overflow tube and crimp it so the system will build a slight amount of pressure as it warms up (i.e.: 2 - 3 lbs) which will generally force the stop-leak out of any weeping holes. Then drain and allow to dry overnight. Then refill with coolant & water and see if your problem is not solved.

[larrys40]

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Bob,

I would try the Permatex on the threads first..... it will probably fix the weepage. you might want to put a little on a stick type q -tip into the back of the hole so you can get sealant on the back of the threads... also coat bolt before installing...Everyone might have their favor of sealant but for the threads like that I'd try Permatex #2 first.

No offense to Brent's suggestion.. as I regard his advice as the best... having had bad experiences with stop leak more than once... ( fixing one problem, causing another-clogged up radiator) , I would do everything I could first to thwart it at the bolt and hole as opposed to putting something in the radiator that could potentially have clogging effects on the system.
When you have something like this you just have to patiently, methodically, try to fix it from least evasive and simple to the next step until it is fixed.
I'm confident that it will be OK . Let us know how it pans out.
Hope we all helped Bob!
Larry Shepard
St. Charles, MO

[ford3]

the problems people have with the stop leaks is that they dont read and follow the directions printed on the product, never let the radiator tubes become exposed to the air when using stop leak, the stop leak sees them as a leak and fixes them

[Napa Skip]

Need Helicoil,
But drilled too deep?
Use Permatex,
And stop that weep.

Burma Shave

[Allanw]

You can buy liquid thread sealant too.

Also... throw away the helicoils, and get time-serts for next time.

They don't try to expand like a spring if they were to ever come out... and I've never had a time-sert come out, but scrapped a few parts after a helicoil fought it's way out.

[zzlegend]

Ditto on what larrys40 said.

[RTC1930]

Thanks for the input guys. At least I know I'm not alone. Permatex did the trick. Put 50 miles on her today and no leak.

Bob NJ