Now my head gasket is leaking. UGH!

[LaGrasta]

About two years ago I had the head rebuilt and water pump replaced and all was well with thousands of miles to prove it.
I then battled with an exhaust manifold that would not stay sealed. I finally solved that with no gasket and Permatex Ultra Copper Sealant. But almost instantly after I resolved that, my head gasket started leaking near the rear exhaust side of the block. This really bugs me as I hate dealing with stuff I've already dealt with.
So once again, I need to reseal the head. This time I'm doing it myself as I know the head doens't need rebuilt, only resealed. Any tips? I'll do a search later on too?

P.S. Prior to pulling the head, I thought I might just retorque it, add some Barr's Sealant in the cooling system to see what I'd get. Thoughts?

 

[TucsonHooligan]

I used the bars sealant back in October, and it seemed to cure the problem, that is until the AZ heat kicked up. Now that Summer is coming back (Summer light, the other of our two seasons, coming to and end) the leak has returned. I'm not concerned because I'm rebuilding a 200 to swap out right now, so I just refill the radiator. Its worth a try I suppose, but once the car starts to run hot again, it may fail and you're still stuck with a leaky head. When you put the head gasket on, did you put RTV around the water ports? My motor guru recommends doing that, but a real light film as not to squish it into the port itself, or worse, into a cylinder. May be worth a try, although I somehow sense that someone will respond within 30 seconds calling me an idiot and saying you should never do that, so you may want to wait till a consensus is reached. Good luck!

 

[Ronbo]

That was the advice I was given also. And it was from this board so I don't think there will be any name calling! I can't comment on whether or not it works as I haven't done it yet.


Ron

 

[Junk-Falcon]

i know they reformed barrs leak ,a few years back, but i know the old stuff ,, you need to take the car for at least an hr drive after putting it in or it can settle in the bottom of the rad tubs n clog ,, sooo if ya do use it go on a long drive (its got little balls that need to disove),, i have used the old stuff a number of times n it realy dose work for some time ,,
when you do the head gasket 1 of the main things is to make shure the surffes are clean n dry for a good seal and have 2 peaple to set it down on the block
charlie

 

[Frankenstang]

I'm gonna weigh in as not being a big fan of Barr's leak, of course I've never used it. Given the propensity of the 200 to develop scale/rust in the water ports and the smallish water pump impellar, I wouldn't want it building up or clogging areas not intended to...like the ports or my high dollar aluminum radiator.

I've had very good luck with the Felpro head gaskets without ever using sealant (used more than a couple over the years with valve jobs and rebuilds). Their gaskets have an impregnated bead of silicone around the water ports IIRC. I think some here prefer cometco (sp). I've also not been shy about torquing up to 5lbs over spec, so retorquing might be worth a shot (although a leak tends to deteriorate the gasket immediately at that location), seen as how replacing the head gasket means messing with your exhaust again My $.02
Good luck!

 

[cobraguy]

Anthony is this the source of the leak coming out of your starter? You never did tell us what you found. Could it be the little freeze plug behind the exhaust manifold. Barrs can't hurt at this point.

 

[wallaka]

some here prefer cometco (sp

Cometic. They are supposed to be high-end stuff, though fel-pro is generally good too.

 

[MustangSix]

Are you sure its not one of the 1" plugs on the side of the head?

 

[DupleDreux]

Yep, I had one of those little ones go. You need an inspection mirror to check. There's a bunch of 'em and one's in the back facing the firewall.

Mark

 

[LaGrasta]

Anthony is this the source of the leak coming out of your starter? You never did tell us what you found. Could it be the little freeze plug behind the exhaust manifold. Barrs can't hurt at this point.

yes, this is the leak I spoke of prior. I checked the plug and at most, it has some residual oil from a leaking valve cover and that's it. The water leak is clearly above the exhaust manifold from the head, right at the corner of the head next to the firewall.

 

[CoupeBoy]

The water leak is clearly above the exhaust manifold from the head, right at the corner of the head next to the firewall.

Above the manifold? that doesn't seem right for a headgasket.

-ron

 

[LaGrasta]

http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php? ... highlight=

 

[AzCoupe]

I think some here prefer cometco (sp).

some here prefer cometco (sp

Cometic. They are supposed to be high-end stuff, though fel-pro is generally good too.

Actually, I think he was referring to Corteco, which was bought out by ROL last year. Same gaskets (white face seal), but they are now packaged under the ROL brand.

Cometic doesn't make a gasket for our small sixes, not yet anyway. I contacted them several months ago, and they agreed to make their MLS gasket for us, if I pay for the tooling. I've been putting away my pennies ever since, and hope to have enough saved up in another month or two. If so, I could have them in stock by mid summer..... They'll also make a gas o-ring for us, which is used in conjunction with the MLS gasket, for high boost applications (no more cooper gaskets).

 

[Mercury Mike]

Anthony, PM me your number and I'll come over and show you how it's done this weekend! hahaha. Seriously though, easy job I'll show you what's up and you can buy me lunch as an early birthday present, I'm gonna be 21 April 9th!

 

[LaGrasta]

thanks Mike.
I actually retorqed the head and resealed the valve cover this past weekend. Drove it to work today. Can't say if it's leaking, but it drove just fine this morning. After I make it back home this evening, i'll look it over to see if anything is wrong.
As for your birthday... Happy Birthday!

 

[wallaka]

I always get those two confused!

 

[LaGrasta]

I don't get it, I hardly did anything and now it's running super; zippy, no leaks and running much cooler than it has in a long time. I ran home yesterday with the outside temp over 80° and even doing 90mph, it ran cool and smooth. Strange and confusing, but happy...

 

[351 celi]

What did you end up torqing it to? I just put another 250 block with my old "refreshed" head and am experiencing some seapage. I torqued it to 75 lb/Ft. Is it safe to go up to, say, 90 with OE hardware? I know I caused this leak, I lubricated the headbolts and think it contaminated my mating surfaces once they were all tightened to spec...

 

[LaGrasta]

i only went 5 lbs over. It's still been good too.