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Rust arount head bolts and in sparkplug wells
Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 8:33 pm
by Jeff5015
Can anyone tell me what's going on with my engine? Thers is new rust around several of the new head bolts. I saw water bubbling up in the sparkplug wells on 3 & 4. Is my head cracked?
Re: Rust arount head bolts and in sparkplug wells
Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 8:39 pm
by Humblej
I would suspect a leaking head gasket.
Re: Rust arount head bolts and in sparkplug wells
Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 9:50 pm
by Mark Gregush
Are you seeing water or just compression blow by in the spark plug holes?
Re: Rust arount head bolts and in sparkplug wells
Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 11:04 pm
by Allan
Water from rain/car washing will drain into the wells around the spark plugs. That moisture will also create rust where the headbolts have removed paint as they are tensioned. As indicated, compression blowby at the plugs is common, usually bubbling in oil, but just as usual if there is water in the plug wells.
There may be absolutely nothing wrong/worth fixing.
Allan from down under.
Re: Rust arount head bolts and in sparkplug wells
Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 11:06 pm
by JP_noonan
Jeff, i would think that if you don't actually see water seeping up from the head bolts, you're probably fine. Judging from your pic it seems like tightening the head bolts just scraped off what finish you had on the head, and the little wells surrounding the bolts just accumulated water, allowing it to rust. Like Mark mentioned, its pretty common on T's to get some blow by at the spark plugs and some here have added products to the plug to keep it from leaking. Good luck.
Re: Rust arount head bolts and in sparkplug wells
Posted: Sat Mar 23, 2019 11:08 pm
by Jerry VanOoteghem
Your photo does not suggest any real problem. As someone else stated, car washes can easily do what you describe. Just keep an eye on things.
Re: Rust arount head bolts and in sparkplug wells
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 7:25 pm
by Jeff5015
Thank you everyone.
I just replaced the head gasket (w/copper spray) and double checked the ft lbs. (55) after a few heat-cool cycles.
I noticed the water !after! I washed the car. duh.
I'm gonna test drive it and I'll see how the power feels.
Re: Rust arount head bolts and in sparkplug wells
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 8:17 pm
by RajoRacer
Be careful pulling 55 lbs. !
Re: Rust arount head bolts and in sparkplug wells
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 8:46 pm
by Erik Barrett
The spark plugs are pipe thread. Use some pipe thread sealant on them.
Re: Rust arount head bolts and in sparkplug wells
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 8:53 pm
by Jeff5015
Won't that risk debris falling into the combustion chamber when I remove them?
Re: Rust arount head bolts and in sparkplug wells
Posted: Mon Mar 25, 2019 9:29 pm
by henryford2
Re: Rust arount head bolts and in sparkplug wells
Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2019 11:20 am
by Mark Gregush
Re Won't that risk debris falling into;
A; No not really, it's just a thin coat. Even if it did, it would blow out the exhaust when the engine fired.
B; I have been using white teflon tape for years with no issue. One or two layers is all that is needed. The threads cut thru and have never had a firing issue. Some use aluminum foil.
Re: Rust arount head bolts and in sparkplug wells
Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2019 12:04 pm
by RajoRacer
One might consider blowing the wells out with air prior to removal !
Re: Rust arount head bolts and in sparkplug wells
Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2019 7:34 pm
by MichaelPawelek
[quote=Jeff5015 post_id=19084 time=1553556321 user_id=1008]
Thank you everyone.
I just replaced the head gasket (w/copper spray) and double checked the ft lbs. (55) after a few heat-cool cycles.
I noticed the water !after! I washed the car. duh.
I'm gonna test drive it and I'll see how the power feels.
[/quote]
When I wash any Model T or Model A I drape a large plastic garbage bag across the top of the engine so nothing gets wet. This is assuming a cold engine!