Rusty Head Bolts

[New Lime 69]

Recently I pulled the head on my 250 since I believed I had a headgasket leak. This assumption was based on a gradual dissapearance of my radiator fluid although no bubbling in the radiator and no overheating. Well, I pulled the head and all looks fine, except two of the bolts that bolt the head down are rusty. If you are looking at the engine from the front of the vehicle, they are the ones on the left side closest to the exhaust manifold. As I looked things over more, I saw that the bolt hole in the head was rusty as was the threading in the block. Since there are no water jacket holes on that side of the engine (between head and block through head gasket), where is the water coming from? I suspect there is a small crack in the head or block lesading to these holes, but I cant tell where.

So what do you folks recommend? This is a rebuilt engine (7 years 45,000 miles). I am inclined to use some sort of sealant on the threads and the head of the bolts and keep going... Bad idea??? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[matt1967]

only way is to tear down, and check it. none of the head bolts are in water jackets on a 200/250 that I'm aware of. sombody may have at 1 time, put in a bolt that was too long.

 

[fordconvert]

How much coolant loss over what period of time?

How often/long does the car sit unused?

How often do you do some sort of coolant flush?

Trying to remember does a 67 have a recovery tank?

Has there been any history of coolant leaks on that heater thing under the carb??? Just a thought, I have never heard of one.......

 

[New Lime 69]

It was actually very little coolant loss but would only happen under use. It has been sitting since I decided to take the plunge and pull the head. And I dont have the under carb water hose set up... guess since this is a california car it wasnt necessary.

I really believe the leak is fairly slight and have considered not pressurizing the system. Whatever leak exists I doubt will be much of a problem if I dont pressurize. But I guess now I am concerned that this slight leak will either worsen or rust the head bolt down and will break off someday when I pull the head again.

The water is either working its way out through the side of the block (I need to verify if the Head Gasket showes that) or through the top of the head bolt. Too dirty/oily on top to really show.

 

[wallaka]

only way is to tear down, and check it. none of the head bolts are in water jackets on a 200/250 that I'm aware of. sombody may have at 1 time, put in a bolt that was too long.

According to the Ford shop manual, you are supposed to put sealer on the two end bolts on the right side. That is an indication to me that they go through the water jacket.

There could be some other explanation, though, and this doesn't explain his problem.

Unless he's mixing up right and left.

 

[matt1967]

only way is to tear down, and check it. none of the head bolts are in water jackets on a 200/250 that I'm aware of. sombody may have at 1 time, put in a bolt that was too long.

According to the Ford shop manual, you are supposed to put sealer on the two end bolts on the right side. That is an indication to me that they go through the water jacket.

There could be some other explanation, though, and this doesn't explain his problem.

Unless he's mixing up right and left.

they could go into a oil passage, to require sealer also. I tore my 200 apart, and a couple came out real oily, but none were just wet. if I had my block tho, I would pour water into all the bolt holes, to see if any water goes into the jackets, but my block is at the machine shop, waiting to be punched out .030

 

[wallaka]

only way is to tear down, and check it. none of the head bolts are in water jackets on a 200/250 that I'm aware of. sombody may have at 1 time, put in a bolt that was too long.

According to the Ford shop manual, you are supposed to put sealer on the two end bolts on the right side. That is an indication to me that they go through the water jacket.

There could be some other explanation, though, and this doesn't explain his problem.

Unless he's mixing up right and left.

they could go into a oil passage, to require sealer also. I tore my 200 apart, and a couple came out real oily, but none were just wet. if I had my block tho, I would pour water into all the bolt holes, to see if any water goes into the jackets, but my block is at the machine shop, waiting to be punched out .030

True. Forgot about oil.