351w Water Pump Bolt Leaking With Helicoil In Place

[Robert Ebanks]

Hey guys, I have a huge problem. I have, what I thought was a successful Helicoil install, but after installing water pump water appears to be leaking past the bolt. What are your guys suggestion, on how to finish the fix. First picture is leaking side of water pump. The second picture is the opposite side same bolt hole.

 

[Noobz347]

Thread Seal. The same you would use on that bolt even without a helicoil.

 

[Robert Ebanks]

Thank you, is the leaking normal just with water added to the motor? I thought it was strange that it was just the Helicoiled side leaking, once the motor was put back together. Any suggestions on great thread sealers?

 

[Noobz347]

It is not normal for it to leak statically, no.

 

[Robert Ebanks]

That was the strange thing, only movement was water being filled in the cooling system. Any suggestions? The opposite side pucture if zoomed in appears dry.

 

[Noobz347]

Seal it and check again

 

[Robert Ebanks]

Thanks for your time.

 

[jrichker]

I have put a Helicoil in on the passenger side, in the top bolt and had no problem. I sprayed the gasket and the mating surface of the pump with weather strip adhesive to keep the gasket from slipping. Then I smeared a thin coat of blue silicone sealer around the water passage on the block and it works great, no leaks.

 

[Robert Ebanks]

I have put a Helicoil in on the passenger side, in the top bolt and had no problem. I sprayed the gasket and the mating surface of the pump with weather strip adhesive to keep the gasket from slipping. Then I smeared a thin coat of blue silicone sealer around the water passage on the block and it works great, no leaks.

Thanks for the suggestion, I believe my biggest issue was the Helicoil had that metal thread bent over keeping the bolt from seating completely against the pump. I'll hopefully finish it up tonight and post updates, thanks for suggesting and insight!

 

[jrichker]

Thanks for the suggestion, I believe my biggest issue was the Helicoil had that metal thread bent over keeping the bolt from seating completely against the pump. I'll hopefully finish it up tonight and post updates, thanks for suggesting and insight!

The metal tang needs to be broken off to complete the installation. A 1/4" pin punch or plain rod and a hammer be used to break the tang off. Then you get to fish the broken tang out of the hole. A small magnet may work for that; Home Depot has small super magnets for about $3 a package

 

[Robert Ebanks]

Update****
First and foremost thanks for all the suggestions. My issue appeared to be the Helicoil, got it pulled out with an extractor bit, and re-tapped the whole, an then I chose to loctite the Helicoil in place. I then use ultra black silicone on the tip of water pump bolts just in case.