The Ford Barn

47topless · 08-17-2023, 09:54 PM

I removed the head on my 59 AB and discovered water in 7 & 8. This is either a gasket problem or a crack in the block. If I cannot see a crack in the block at the valves, with normal sight acuity, can I safely assume that this is a gasket problem?

Photos are attached if that may help.
Your thoughts are appreciated.
Phil

mercman from oz · 08-17-2023, 10:35 PM

Photo of my block that has water entering into cylinders 7 and 8 - 47topless

deuce_roadster · 08-17-2023, 11:20 PM

Cracks can be where they cannot be seen. That is why you do a pressure test.

Jack E/NJ · 08-18-2023, 06:39 AM

Looks like fire ring leaks to me. Try new gaskets to find out. Smear them with plenty of wheel bearing grease.

Bored&Stroked · 08-18-2023, 07:14 AM

If you want to inspect it more, buy a fine wire brush and some lacquer thinner or acetone and carefully clean the transfer areas between the valves and the bores. Then use a very bright light to inspect.

In many cases one can actually see a crack in this area. The only way to be sure is to take the engine apart, have it cleaned, magged and pressure tested.

Lots of work (and some $$$) to find-out it may not be cracked. I'd try the new head-gasket approach first - just to see if that was the issue. I'd probably buy a set of Best Gaskets GraphTite head gaskets.

47topless · 08-18-2023, 07:15 AM

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Oh man, I hope you're right!!!! I will give that a go. I have never heard of the wheel bearing grease thing. Thank you.
I broke a damned valve stem, while removing the other head, so I'll need to fix that first.
Thanks again,
Phil

aussie merc · 08-18-2023, 07:17 AM

mag or dye test to be sure but be warned the dye can be a bugger to clean off after the test

deuce_roadster · 08-18-2023, 09:00 AM

Try the Best brand gaskets as advised above, leave the wheel bearing grease for the wheel bearings. Retorque at least 3 times after heat cycling after initial start up. Have the heads checked for flatness or get them surfaced.

47topless · 08-18-2023, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

Try the Best brand gaskets as advised above, leave the wheel bearing grease for the wheel bearings. Retorque at least 3 times after heat cycling after initial start up. Have the heads checked for flatness or get them surfaced.

perfect.
Thank you.

Bored&Stroked · 08-18-2023, 07:49 PM

I'm on board with the "Big Deuce" - he has it right!

Lawson Cox · 08-18-2023, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 47topless

Oh man, I hope you're right!!!! I will give that a go. I have never heard of the wheel bearing grease thing. Thank you.
I broke a damned valve stem, while removing the other head, so I'll need to fix that first.
Thanks again,
Phil

I ONLY use wheelbearing or chassis grease on gaskets.

47topless · 08-19-2023, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lawson Cox

I ONLY use wheelbearing or chassis grease on gaskets.

Is that to help seal the gasket or is this trick to make future removal of the head easier?
Thank you,
Phil

Kube · 08-19-2023, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 47topless

perfect.
Thank you.

Listen to Deuce.

47topless · 08-19-2023, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kube

Listen to Deuce.

"Copy that"

cadillac512 · 08-19-2023, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 47topless

"Copy that"

Yep, agreed.

08-17-2023, 10:35 PM	#2
mercman from oz Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Queensland, Australia Posts: 10,417	Re: Is crack in block visible to naked eye. Photo of my block that has water entering into cylinders 7 and 8 - 47topless

08-17-2023, 11:20 PM	#3
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,811	Re: Is crack in block visible to naked eye. Cracks can be where they cannot be seen. That is why you do a pressure test.

08-18-2023, 07:14 AM	#5
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,202	Re: Is crack in block visible to naked eye. If you want to inspect it more, buy a fine wire brush and some lacquer thinner or acetone and carefully clean the transfer areas between the valves and the bores. Then use a very bright light to inspect. In many cases one can actually see a crack in this area. The only way to be sure is to take the engine apart, have it cleaned, magged and pressure tested. Lots of work (and some $$$) to find-out it may not be cracked. I'd try the new head-gasket approach first - just to see if that was the issue. I'd probably buy a set of Best Gaskets GraphTite head gaskets.

08-18-2023, 07:15 AM	#6
47topless Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 305	Re: Is crack in block visible to naked eye. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Oh man, I hope you're right!!!! I will give that a go. I have never heard of the wheel bearing grease thing. Thank you. I broke a damned valve stem, while removing the other head, so I'll need to fix that first. Thanks again, Phil

08-18-2023, 07:17 AM	#7
aussie merc Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: sydney australia Posts: 1,041	Re: Is crack in block visible to naked eye. mag or dye test to be sure but be warned the dye can be a bugger to clean off after the test

08-18-2023, 09:00 AM	#8
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,811	Re: Is crack in block visible to naked eye. Try the Best brand gaskets as advised above, leave the wheel bearing grease for the wheel bearings. Retorque at least 3 times after heat cycling after initial start up. Have the heads checked for flatness or get them surfaced. Last edited by deuce_roadster; 08-18-2023 at 09:13 AM.

08-18-2023, 07:49 PM	#10
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,202	Re: Is crack in block visible to naked eye. I'm on board with the "Big Deuce" - he has it right!