antifreeze leak

[UNIQUE_NAME]

hi guys,


have a strange one here. port engine has using antifreeze for the past 2 years. not alot, maybe 2 cups in a season (i only put about 25-30 hours a year on). i looked the normal places but was never able to find the source.

yesterday i went down to adjust the valves. took off the outboard valve cover and found a small puddle of antifreeze in the aft corner of the head right by the drain. wiped up the puddle and started the motor to try and find the source. no luck, wiped off all the oil on the head and went home.

today i returned and the puddle was back in the aft corner. i took off the inboard valve cover and found a puddle in the aft corner just like the outboard side.
started it up and let it warm up watching the valve train the whole time. still nothing.
i shut the engine down and wiped down both sides. on closer inspection it looks like the pipe plug in the head is weeping antifreeze (all 3 on both sides). again not alot, just enough to fill a thread on the plug and after a while it will make a tear. i kept looking to see if it was coming from the head bolt right above the pipe plug, but it really looks like the pipe plug is the source.

are those pipe plugs in the water jacket? (427 ford fresh water cooled engines)
has anyone ever seen this?
are those plugs supposed to be sealed? if so with what?
this engine was also removed, sent to a shop and rebuilt about 4 years ago.

thanks,

jim

 

[Kiwipushrod]

Hi Jim, We use Permatex thread sealant #80632 in that application.

But I have to ask the obvious. . . Did you try to tighten them?

Kiwi

 

[UNIQUE_NAME]

kiwi,

i have not tried tightening them, figuring i would just break whatever sealant is on there.


jim

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Look at things on the molecular level. Pipe plugs are tapered. Bump it a click tighter and that is actually heating the sealant enough to move and reseal, not to mention wedging the seal on the threads a bit tighter. Is that a square recessed head on the plug? A 3/8 ratchet will snug it and if they ARE loose, youve solved the problem. If not, pull it out, wire brush it clean and reseal. Brush on Permatex is a good choice for sealing this kinda stuff... ws

 

[UNIQUE_NAME]

thanks guys, i'll give it a try and let you know the outcome.

 

[Kiwipushrod]

Hey Jim, Like Willy says, a 3/8 ratchet should be enough.

I have seen Bubba over torque NPT plugs and bust the head or block castings. I just thought You should know.

Kiwi