MTFCA Forum

water in oil how to pressure block ?

If it's an internal leak it's most likely a head gasket issue or cracked valve seat. Or a cracked head. I suppose you could plug the water inlet with a plate, then fill the block and head completely full of water with a with a squirt of dish soap in it, then apply 5-10 PSI to the water outlet and hold it for half an hour. A cold engine might not leak, even if it leaks when hot. I wouldn't put more than 15 psi on an old block. Freeze cracks can be anywhere, but are usually along the lower part of the water jacket and usually leak to the outside. /// A small amount of water in the oil could be condensation, either from humid weather conditions or the engine having been run cold extensively. /// Washing the engine or driving through water can allow water to get into the crankcase through the oil filler, the throttle rod opening in the block, or by leaking past gaskets.

I haven't had this problem with a T, but with Model A's it would crack between an exhaust valve and the cylinder. In the case we would bore and sleeve the cylinder and put an insert valve seat and it worked quite well. I once tried washing out a Model A with detergent and for a long time and many fills and drains of the radiator finally got it to stop bubbling. When I went down the road people called me Laurence Welk's bubble machine! Anyway I don't recommend that method. You might fill the block with water blocking off the input and put the top hose on with some type large plug with a tire valve in it and use compressed air. With the manifold off you could see whether water was leaking into the ports and where.
Norm

Here is my pressure test setup. Whole thing is filled with water and 25 psi is delivered to the pressure dome on top. Then watch for leaks.

Heres my setup on Model A , but I have one also for T'shttps://youtu.be/t9USpJEbLLQ?si=P7PIAz-dmz4G51fL

Snyder’s use to sell a plate for T & A for pressure testing. Had a rubber gasket glued to it. You can also test heads with it.

Erik Barrett wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 11, 2023 11:00 pm

Here is my pressure test setup. Whole thing is filled with water and 25 psi is delivered to the pressure dome on top. Then watch for leaks.

I think that is just the absolute neatest thing! I love seeing stuff like this.

-Bryce S.

Cool pictures aside - if you have water in the oil, you'll be removing the head at minimum. Get a true straight edge (metal ruler, etc) and lay it on, look for light between the engine and edge. Head too. Check the gasket for blow-outs. Decks warp, heads warp, gaskets blow out - check those before getting all excited about valve seat cracks and whatever.

found leak with smoke test worked great
leak was behind center freeze plug hole in water jacket small hole plug with stainless steel screw and j b weld
thanks for all the help