OT Flathead Ford v8 question

cj in wisconsin · May 1, 2009

Hey all you old duffers, I have a 239 ford flathead. The left side head is seaping coolant around a few of the head bolts, is this a sure sign of a bad head gasket or is it just not sealing around the studs? I am leaning toward the gasket but am getting nothing leaking into the cylinders. Should I just stopleak it, or replace the head gasket? Sorry bout the old duffers comment. LOL :>)

Anonymous-0 · May 1, 2009

the studs may be rotten. at least take the head off and examine closely. you may use sealer on the studs.

charles lendman · May 1, 2009

I'd just take the head off and put on a new gasket and studs..probably both sides ..bandaids are NEVER CHEAP..just my 2C ..Charles

GordoSD · May 1, 2009

Most common cause was improper torque sequence. I hope you have the chart. Nobody could memorize that sequencing. My first hotrod was a Ford Coupe witht eh 59AB flathead, the Zephyr trans, dual 97's, heads milled, and headers with lakes pipes. What a sound! And 0 to 60 before dinner.

Gordo

Bob · May 1, 2009

If there's no sign of water getting into the cylinders or combustion products in the radiator simply remove the bolts one at a time, clean them up and coat them with thread seal paste and re-torque them. PLENTY of time to pull the head if worse problems develop.

Anonymous-0 · May 1, 2009

No, do not take the heads off. Do as Bob said, drain the coolant and remove one bolt at a time. Coat the threads with silicone and re-torque them. I have many flat head fords engines, most leak water around the head bolts back in the old days before silicone.

John B. · May 1, 2009

Yes I would pull the heads and put new gaskets and head bolts in with thread sealer on the bolts. This way you know it's done right and forget about.

I went to my old trade school for open house last year and they don't torque engine bolts any more. They use ultrasound and measure the stretch of the bolts. How interesting!

Anonymous-0 · May 2, 2009

Torque the heads first.Most old flatheads never had a torque wrench used on them.Getting studs out with the heads on will be trouble and a broken stud will be nasty.

Stan(PA) · May 2, 2009

"Most common cause was improper torque sequence. I hope you have the chart. Nobody could memorize that sequencing."

Actually, for any head that you don't have sequencing for... basically go from the center out, snugging each, then 5 F/lbs at a time until you reach torque.

OT Flathead Ford v8 question

cj in wisconsin

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Anonymous-0

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charles lendman

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GordoSD

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Bob

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Anonymous-0

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John B.

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Anonymous-0

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Stan(PA)

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