Lower Head bolts

mister5150 · May 20, 2010

so.. im getting mixed responses. if the lower head bolts are not sealed correct will you get an internal leak meaning oil in coolant or will you get an external leak meaning puddles on the ground.....thanks

Strype · May 20, 2010

Think about it man, were your stock bolts sealed?

stykthyn · May 20, 2010

arent head bolts torqued to 60 ft lbs? water isnt getting past that. Use a moly based lube and water wont be an issue and it will ensure torque values.

mister5150 · May 20, 2010

i torqued the upper to 90 and the lower to 80 i used arp bolts dipped in oil however on the bottom i used teflon tape instead of the arp sealer.. im having some issues just trying to eliminate somethings

stykthyn · May 20, 2010

do you seriously think teflon tape will withold the heat and pressures those bolts are going to be subjected to?

nero6 · May 20, 2010

Wow, easy on the replies. This forum is for people to find out how to do things correctly, not to be judged on what they have done.

Yes the lower head botls should be sealed or an internal coolant leak can result. Teflon tape is not a rcommended sealant. ARP thread sealant is recommended or something equivalent.

mister5150 · May 20, 2010

thanks nero6... ive changed the gasket twice and both times it seems my oil and my coolant are mixing .. now is it to late for me to pull those lower bolts out one at a time and reseal them and torque them down?

Beasty306GT · May 20, 2010

you want to use arp thread sealant

stykthyn · May 20, 2010

Posted via Mobile Device

no. replace them one at a time, but use the recommended tq sequence when you tighten them back down. all will be well.

honestly though if oil and coolant are mixing you have something else going on besides lack of thread sealer on the bolts.

mister5150 · May 20, 2010

thanks everyone for all the replies..im still working on it if there are any ideas why I have coolant in my oil id appreciate it

capri debris · May 20, 2010

You already have a thread about this subject.
http://www.stangnet.com/mustang-forums/815751-2nd-head-gasket-3rd.html

Here's what you need to know:

1. No, water and oil CAN'T mix if the lower head bolts are not sealed properly.
2. Yes, the lower head bolts MUST be sealed. (moly lube is not enough)
3. No, teflon tape is NOT an acceptable sealant to use on them.
4. Most commonly used sealers: permatex or a hard setting thread sealant.
5. Yes, you can take one lower bolt out at a time and re-torque it after applying the proper thread sealant.
6. When you drain your coolant to remove and seal the head bolts, you will not be able to drain what is in the block by simply removing the lower radiator hose or opening the radiator drain... you will have to remove one of the head bolts and use a turkey baster or siphon to suck the extra coolant out of the block so the level is below the lower row of head bolts. This is to make sure the coolant doesn't keep the thread sealant from sealing.

If you have water and oil mixing, the most common reasons are:

1. Blown head gaskets (warped head or block deck)
2. Improperly sealed lower intake gaskets (gaskets can shift during installation or a warped intake)

Hope this is clear enough.

notchback · May 20, 2010

internal does not seem possible to me.

i however was just out there doing my lowers, due to external leaks

i pulled each lower bolt started on either side of the middle one and teflon pasted them with a little bit of rtv just b4 the step. mine were leaking UNDER the head to on the ground, oil looks fine. then i did the outside bolts last. i torque to 75 on the lowers , 80 on the uppers

mister5150 · May 20, 2010

i did only use teflon tape.. but i had no external leaks...

notchback · May 20, 2010

the middle 3 seemed most likely to me, the outers were dry

Strype · May 20, 2010

Strype said:
Think about it man, were your stock bolts sealed?

I don't believe, in the years I've been on here, I've ever had to quote myself.

mister5150 · May 21, 2010

Strype said:
Think about it man, were your stock bolts sealed?

the car is over 20 years old i have no idea what was on them..the bolts that i pulled didnt have S%$T on em

steelie4u · May 21, 2010

SickSix said:
you want to use arp thread sealant

i used permatex thread sealer and had no problems, but without the sealer you are in for a fun time with coolant leaks

mister5150 · May 21, 2010

its weird because i dont have any leaks externally.. however im still gonna pull em tmro and seal em with permatex

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