The Ford Barn

Borninthefifties · 02-12-2022, 06:54 PM

I pulled the engine on Henrietta and discovered that there is a hole in the block just above the right side where the flywheel bolts to the block, (the shimmed bolt). It's about a quarter inch in diameter. Is this fixable?

nkaminar · 02-12-2022, 07:09 PM

I am assuming that you mean just above the bell housing which is where the flywheel is located. You may want to try some JB Weld but first dry and clean it well with a rotary wire brush on a drill motor. If possible push some into the hole to create a larger glob on the inside to keep it keyed into the hole.

Or, try tapping the hole and put a tapered pipe plug in it.

Some pictures would help.

Oldgearz · 02-12-2022, 07:30 PM

Check for cracks radiating. I like the idea of tapping hole after drilling it round. Maybe 5/16" or 3/8" short bolt put in with Locktite? What was leaking?

johnneilson · 02-12-2022, 07:33 PM

Irontite tapered plugs would probably be fine
The issue will be if the surrounding material is thick enough to hold the thread

Borninthefifties · 02-12-2022, 07:46 PM

Aloha, thanks for replying. You're sorta right. It's where the flywheel housing bolts to the block. My bad.

Borninthefifties · 02-12-2022, 07:50 PM

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Aloha Oldgearz, It was definitely water. As I was poring it in one end it was coming out the other. Thanks for replying.

Borninthefifties · 02-12-2022, 07:53 PM

Aloha Mr. Neilson,
Is Irontite a brand name? Would you also recommend Locktite? Thanks for your reply

johnneilson · 02-12-2022, 09:02 PM

Aloha Bra,

see this link; https://irontite.com/zc/index.php?ma...48_150_155_157

These are used in crack repair and I have used them in plugging holes in blocks.

I am afraid that the water jacket back there will probably be very thin due to corrosion internally. That will make the repair hard to do.

I have also used MarineTex epoxy and added a filler of powdered metal with success.

I spent my summers on Maui with Grand Parents as a kid, it took a week to darken up and then I looked local.

Good luck, John

nkaminar · 02-13-2022, 11:42 AM

If you do use a tapered pug, tap shallow so that the plug does not go too deep. You can always cut off the end of the plug if it is too long. Use an epoxy like JB Weld as a sealer and to secure the plug. You can cut and grind off the part of the plug sticking out after the epoxy is set but do not get the plug hot or the epoxy will come loose and you may develop radial cracks when the plug expands.

One other idea is to make a small plate to cover the hole and screw it to the block at the sides with machine screws. Make it water tight with JB Weld.

I would still like to see before and after photos.

Borninthefifties · 02-14-2022, 10:47 AM

Thank you one and all for replying. I will give this considerable thought. Not sue how to include a picture.

Bob Bidonde · 02-15-2022, 11:10 AM

Please post a picture of the hole.

nkaminar · 02-15-2022, 03:56 PM

If you have any teenagers around they can show you how to post a photo.

02-12-2022, 06:54 PM	#1
Borninthefifties Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Big Island of Hawai`i Posts: 43	Mystery leak discovered I pulled the engine on Henrietta and discovered that there is a hole in the block just above the right side where the flywheel bolts to the block, (the shimmed bolt). It's about a quarter inch in diameter. Is this fixable?

02-12-2022, 07:09 PM	#2
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,903	Re: Mystery leak discovered I am assuming that you mean just above the bell housing which is where the flywheel is located. You may want to try some JB Weld but first dry and clean it well with a rotary wire brush on a drill motor. If possible push some into the hole to create a larger glob on the inside to keep it keyed into the hole. Or, try tapping the hole and put a tapered pipe plug in it. Some pictures would help. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

02-12-2022, 07:30 PM	#3
Oldgearz Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Sagle, Idaho Posts: 359	Re: Mystery leak discovered Check for cracks radiating. I like the idea of tapping hole after drilling it round. Maybe 5/16" or 3/8" short bolt put in with Locktite? What was leaking?

02-12-2022, 07:33 PM	#4
johnneilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 34.22 N 118.36 W Posts: 1,057	Re: Mystery leak discovered Irontite tapered plugs would probably be fine The issue will be if the surrounding material is thick enough to hold the thread __________________ As Carroll Smith wrote; All Failures are Human in Origin.

02-12-2022, 07:46 PM	#5
Borninthefifties Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Big Island of Hawai`i Posts: 43	Re: Mystery leak discovered Aloha, thanks for replying. You're sorta right. It's where the flywheel housing bolts to the block. My bad.

02-12-2022, 07:50 PM	#6
Borninthefifties Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Big Island of Hawai`i Posts: 43	Re: Mystery leak discovered Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Aloha Oldgearz, It was definitely water. As I was poring it in one end it was coming out the other. Thanks for replying.

02-12-2022, 07:53 PM	#7
Borninthefifties Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Big Island of Hawai`i Posts: 43	Re: Mystery leak discovered Aloha Mr. Neilson, Is Irontite a brand name? Would you also recommend Locktite? Thanks for your reply

02-12-2022, 09:02 PM	#8
johnneilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 34.22 N 118.36 W Posts: 1,057	Re: Mystery leak discovered Aloha Bra, see this link; https://irontite.com/zc/index.php?ma...48_150_155_157 These are used in crack repair and I have used them in plugging holes in blocks. I am afraid that the water jacket back there will probably be very thin due to corrosion internally. That will make the repair hard to do. I have also used MarineTex epoxy and added a filler of powdered metal with success. I spent my summers on Maui with Grand Parents as a kid, it took a week to darken up and then I looked local. Good luck, John __________________ As Carroll Smith wrote; All Failures are Human in Origin.

02-13-2022, 11:42 AM	#9
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,903	Re: Mystery leak discovered If you do use a tapered pug, tap shallow so that the plug does not go too deep. You can always cut off the end of the plug if it is too long. Use an epoxy like JB Weld as a sealer and to secure the plug. You can cut and grind off the part of the plug sticking out after the epoxy is set but do not get the plug hot or the epoxy will come loose and you may develop radial cracks when the plug expands. One other idea is to make a small plate to cover the hole and screw it to the block at the sides with machine screws. Make it water tight with JB Weld. I would still like to see before and after photos. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past. Last edited by nkaminar; 02-13-2022 at 01:16 PM.

02-14-2022, 10:47 AM	#10
Borninthefifties Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Big Island of Hawai`i Posts: 43	Re: Mystery leak discovered Thank you one and all for replying. I will give this considerable thought. Not sue how to include a picture.

02-15-2022, 11:10 AM	#11
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,472	Re: Mystery leak discovered Please post a picture of the hole. __________________ Bob Bidonde

02-15-2022, 03:56 PM	#12
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,903	Re: Mystery leak discovered If you have any teenagers around they can show you how to post a photo. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.