Coolant coming out exhaust bolt hole

AMSContr · #1 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 10:17 AM

I was tightening down the right side of our '88 7.5/460 EFI and the 3rd cylinder from the front has a stud with a long nut on it. I tightened it and it stripped out, then I pulled the stud out and it started dripping coolant. What could this nightmare be? Cracked head, a common problem, or??
If it a cracked head I suppose pretty much a complete tear down from the air cleaner down to the block or can you remove the head without removing the intake etc.?

jim henderson · #2 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 02:34 PM

I never had to remove the exhaust on my 460 so I don't KNOW the answer...

But many engines do have bolts or studs that bottom out in a water passage. If this is the case, all you need to do is re thread the hole or put in a helicoil and put in the new stud, possibly with sealant.

You might be able to check if this is a thru hole into the water jacket by using a strong light to look into the hole or use something pokey, like a bamboo skewer or a pipe cleaner to see if the hole goes thru or if the threaded hole has a bottom. If it has a bottom to it and it leaks then you have a crack. But I bet it is just a stud that is supposed to be in the water jacket so there won't be a bottom to the threaded hole.

Hope the guys who do KNOW chip in to be sure.

Jim Henderson

AMSContr · #3 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 06:01 PM

Thanks for the reply!

mark a. · #4 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 08:38 PM

Sounds like it had a bolt broke off of it at one time. Someone drilled it out and went a little too far and hit water, probably messed the threads up along the way too. That would be my guess. It could be fixed but it would be a lot of work & you would need a mill.

AMSContr · #5 (**permalink**) 11-05-2009, 12:45 AM

Well after some research and gambling, I cleaned the threads bought new bolts/studs and used sealant on the one leaking. Now I'm letting the sealant setup for 24 hours.
I went to the local NAPA to buy new studs/bolts, they didn't have them, Ford had to order them, after they quoted me the price of about 179 bucks for 8 bolts/studs I'm gambling with some grade 8 bolts from the local hardware store.
Oh well I'm hoping it will work, if not I hear scrap prices will be going back up soon.

AMSContr · #6 (**permalink**) 11-06-2009, 08:13 AM

I guess it's time to try a helicoil and drill. What's the best thread sealant to use?

jamies460 · #7 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 05:01 PM

Maybe a easy fix if you have a Tap & Die, just put a new thread on it, but make sure you use some silastic gasket on that bolt.....