Bell housing bolt in water jacket??

[Quick 8]

Hello,

I just removed and replaced my transmission in a 170cu-in, 63 Falcon. When I removed one of the top bellhousing bolts, a lot of water drained out.

Is this normal? Is there a bolt going into the water jacket there?

When reinstalling it, I put a bunch of silicone sealant on it hoping to reseal it. Will this do it?

Thanks.
~JIM

 

[The Plankster Prankster]

dont know if thats normal - havent worked with your engine.

as for sealing it up, your silicone should do. if not, theres a thread sealer product available on the same aisle as Loctite. that should work too

 

[nachoman]

I have never experienced this on the 200. There is a chance the block is cracked there, or during previous work a mechanic drilled through to repair the threads, and drilled too far. I know some of the head bolts and water pump bolts go throught the water jacket. A bad idea, if you ask me.

kevin

 

[PutPut6]

I had a '72 plymouth satellite with a 318 that had exhaust bolts going into the water jackets in the heads...... absolutely the most annoying thing ever putting a set of headers on. I've never experienced this on a 200, don't know about the 170.

 

[Quick 8]

Thanks for the replies. After reassembling and sealing the heck out of the two bell housing bolts with silicone, it appears I still have a leak.

I first drained the coolant out of the block, and then dried out the bolt holes and let the block "dry out" for couple of hours. I then used a ton of silicone sealant formulated for water pumps and thermostat housings on the bolts. I would literally be impossible to use more silicone than I did. I then let the silicone dry overnight before refilling the block with coolant.

I'm not sure what else to do. I'm afraid that if that didn't do it, nothing will. What's the next step... a new engine?!

Any more ideas would be appreciated.

Thanks.

~Jim

 

[nachoman]

interesting. are you sure the water is not coming from somewhere else? I know you said it was coming out of the bolt hole, but is there any chance whatsoever it could have come from a freeze plug on the back of the head? I really think the silicone should seal it, or at least slow it down so much that it is acceptable. If you wind up taking the bolts out again, take a long nail and poke it into the hole to see if it bottoms out.

kevin

 

[addo]

Yes, my thoughts too. There is a plug back there IIRC. It could be that the sandwich plate is sealing water in when it's all bolted up...

 

[Quick 8]

I am basing the assumption that it is one of the bellhousing bolts, on the fact that when I was removing the trans, I took one of the top bellhousing bolts out, water poured out. I can't remember which of the two bolts, but I think it might be the pass. side.

I am in the middle of heavy down pours right now here in Florida, so when they stop, I will try to confirm were the current leak is coming from.

Thanks again,

~Jim