I'm gonna retorque my head - I want to do it right...tips?

[Anonymous]

Hello,

Great website! I have a 67 Mustang Convertible with the inline 200. I had the motor rebuilt a few years ago, added bigger cam and Clifford dual exhaust. The car is a weekend driver so still pretty low miles. I noticed recently that it weeps a small amount of coolant on the drivers side toward the middle of the engine. A very small amount. No coolant in the oil or anything funky like that. I'm thinking a quick retourqe would fix it before it gets worse? I did a few searches and based on the posts this is my plan:

(not remove rockers)

1) warm engine (not sure about this one)
2) break loose all head bolts
3) use torque wrench and follow the 3 step system listed in my shop manual. The one where you don't torque them all the way all at once.

Sounds simple enough. Anyone have any other advice or tips? I love this car and don't want to mess anything up! Thanks...

 

[aahsac]

I would do some more investigation before taking any action. You might want to take the valve cover off and take a look. There could be a small crack in the head and not be able to detect coolant in the crankcase, yet. But If there the tiniest amount around the valve train then you will see the sludge buildup on top of the head and around the breather of the valve cover.

 

[Anonymous]

Yikes! I doubt that there is a cracked head. This is a fresh rebuild. From what I found by doing some searches, weeping coolant at this spot is fairly common.

Do I have the right idea as far as how to do the retourque? I will look around while I am in there for the stuff you mentioned.

Thanks for the reply...

 

[Bort62]

Sounds like a fine plan.

Torque to like 50, a few hours later 65, and the next morning 75.

 

[addo]

I wouldn't be keen to see any of the bolts go too loose. If it's an older gasket install, I'd do one at a time, about 90-120 minutes after a hot run.

Just work in the same order as original, back off maybe 1/3 turn, then a smooth pull to 75 foot-pounds.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies...

I like your advice ADDO. It sounds easier. I guess I will go that way. I will post back with the results. Probabley won't be able to get to it for a few days though. Hope it works!

 

[aahsac]

Just thinking through it logically, I'm just trying to figure out how water would be leaking out due to loose head bolts. It seem that the higher pressure oil would leak or the much higher compression would be rattling the gasket like a kazoo.

I hope the re-torque does the trick. Please report back your results when you get to it.

Stephen

 

[woodbutcher]

IIRC from some posts here,the 200 is sort of famous or infamous as the case may be for said weeping of oil and/or coolant.
Leo

 

[LaGrasta]

Is that really true wood butcher? My 170 always had weeping down the spark plug side of the block. I had the head rebuilt about 2 months ago and sure enough, if weeps in the same places. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go back to the mechanic and complain or not. If it's normal, then I might as well just drive it as is. It runs great!

 

[woodbutcher]

Hi LaGrasta.Like I said,IIRC.I am still a newby with the Ford sixes.
Leo

 

[Bort62]

I have run across several that weeped out the side of the head/block interface. Totally normal.

Thankfully, however, mine does not do this. Try a little aluma-seal before cracking the head off the block.