MTFCA Forum

I have a 1924 roadster that has a coolant leak around the number 1 exhaust valve. I would like to replace the block with one that does not leak. I live in Maine, so it is not feasible for me to go to any of the swap meets. Any information on where to get one would be appreciated.

Have you tried Lang’s Old Car Parts ?
They are in Baldwinville, Mass.

Is it cracked or is it a leaking head gasket?
Picture of what you are talking about.

I am with Dan, they just do not leak in that area unless head gasket or soft plug.

Joe Bell wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 18, 2024 5:19 pm

I am with Dan, they just do not leak in that area unless head gasket or soft plug.

This winter I went through the motor and had replaced the head gasket, and had checked the flatness of the head and motor. I had filled the radiator yesterday, and when I went to the car this morning there was coolant leaking on the ground under the alternator. At first I thought it was a freeze plug, so I removed the manifolds, and the #1 exhaust opening had a lot of coolant in it as well as the area under the valve head. So I removed the head and it did not appear that it was leaking anywhere on the head, but it is hard to tell. I removed the valve cover, and the coolant had seeped down by the valve stem and into the area where the valve springs and lifters are.

But now I think you guys are correct. I now think it is the head. I plugged the coolant inlet on the side of the block and filled the block with water, and there is no leak in the block. It is an aluminum head, and after looking at it, I do notice that where the water openings are it is pitted pretty bad, so I ordered a new head and gasket.

Thank you guys for giving advise, I appreciate it.

Another new gasket is going to fix it? i would at least have the head re-surfaced before fitting it again. If the shop you use for the resurfacing can pressure crack test it, I would have that done first. The good thing about alloy heads is they respond well to welding up flaws.

Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.

I know where there's several blocks in Gray, would you be interested? please note the owner is here in Florida right now

A friend of mine had a persistant leak that was blamed on head gasket. He even had the aluminum head resurfaced, just in case. After lots of trouble, and 3 head gaskets, it was finally determined that the head itself was leaking. Your mention of heavy pitting in the head makes me very suspicious.

Allan wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 18, 2024 7:52 pm

Another new gasket is going to fix it? i would at least have the head re-surfaced before fitting it again. If the shop you use for the resurfacing can pressure crack test it, I would have that done first. The good thing about alloy heads is they respond well to welding up flaws.

Hope this helps.
Allan from down under.

I bought a new head and also a gasket. The head that is on the car cannot be machined because the pistons would hit the head.

Songo wrote: ↑

Thu Apr 18, 2024 8:38 pm

I know where there's several blocks in Gray, would you be interested? please note the owner is here in Florida right now

Thank you so much for this offer, but after looking into it a little deeper, I believe it is the head, so I bought a new one. See my previous post I explain it a lot more. If this doesn't work I may get back to you.