Essex Terraplane 8 head stud question

Terraplane33
Terraplane33 Expert Adviser
edited March 2013 in HUDSON
Dear All,
I would like to know if the the head stud threads in the engine block are blind holes or not, I had small cooling leaks at the top of the head so I was wondering if this comes from the threads or from the head gasket/head surface. Thanks for your advice !

Comments

  • oldhudsons
    oldhudsons Senior Contributor
    I can't imagine water getting by/around the threads in the block so I'd suspect the head gasket is leaking. Have you removed the head & used a new gasket? If not you could retorque the nuts or remove the nuts, clean the threads & use a good lubricant on the top of the studs, perhaps replace the nuts with new ones, then retorque the head to see if that stops the seepage. That is not a common occurence with the old 8s, a common one with the much higher compression Hornets.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I believe some of those studs go into the water jacket and would recomend sealer on the threads,
    Roger
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    I had issues with the manifold studs but none with the head.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Had this issue also. new 1/2 head bolts and tapping out the block got rid of the weeping at the bolt holes of the studs. Did not have to seal up the head bolts with sealer as the fit was then as it should be,only used anti stick goop with a cooper base to help keep the bolts and holes from rust up from with in. It is known that the stock head bolts are too small and 65ft.lbs tork is not enough??
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User]
    Don't want to steer you wrong, my engine was a 308.
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    Your '33 definitely has threaded holes right through to the water jacket. The studs are normally screwed right down to the end of the thread until they are tight. It would also pay to use some sealant on the threads as well. And don't tighten down to any more than 45 pounds, those old 8 cylinder blocks are not too robust.
  • Terraplane33
    Terraplane33 Expert Adviser
    As far as I remember it goes right through to the water jacket but I was not sure so thanks for confirming. Is there any sealant you would recommend ?
    I can get Loctite 577 here and it goes from -60°F up to 300°F (-50/+150°C), should be OK or not ??
    It's only seeping a little around some nuts and the headgasked looks fine. I will anyway install a new headgasket and would like to get rid of this problem in one shot...
  • Geoff
    Geoff Senior Contributor
    Loctite 518 Master Gasket is a good one to use, as it seals with the exclusion of air, as when the studs are drawn down tight. I'm not familiar with 577 but you should be able to check the specifications of it somewhere. Paint the head gasket with aluminum paint and let it set semi-hard ( just hard enough so you can dig your fingernail into it) before you install. Good luck,
    Geoff
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