engine coolant leaking • The Dodge Challenger Message Board

by **rookie** » 02 Jun 2007 10:14

hi when i replaced my headers i noticed coolant leaking out from the bolts in the heads. does all the headers bolts go into the coolant channels in the heads? or just the once in the back ?

thanks

by **dave-r** » 02 Jun 2007 10:49

Depends on what engine you have.

On big blocks every exhaust bolt goes into the water jacket and needs sealer on the bolts when you put them in.

I think on small blocks it is just the bolts at each far end but i am having trouble remembering.

by **rookie** » 02 Jun 2007 11:02

ok thanks for the quick responce its a 440

by **dave-r** » 02 Jun 2007 11:18

Drain the water out as much as you can so the threadded holes are dry if possible before you put sealer on the threads. Jack the car up one side at a time to get the water out of the heads.

by **MLMFLCN** » 04 Jun 2007 1:31

What type of sealer do you use on the threads?

by **dave-r** » 04 Jun 2007 10:38

Anything really. Gasket sealer for example.

by **RedRaven** » 21 Jul 2007 14:05

Unbelievable......I done this the other day....I undone the bolts on the valve covers and the headers just to make sure they were not seized and when I done the header bolts it pissed water..man I got a fright...but this has solved the problem straight off....

Question Dave...

When I replace the gaskets on the valve covers and the headers to refill the water lost do you just fill up the rad???

I havent or wont fire up the engine until I replace these gaskets and fill her with water and coolant...what balance should I use with coolant and water how much of each??

Thanks

dave-r wrote:Anything really. Gasket sealer for example.

by **dave-r** » 21 Jul 2007 18:04

I would use about 40% because it makes the water less corrosive and protects any ally parts in the system.

I don't know what the winters have been like over there but the temp has not dropped to less than 3 degrees C in my garage the last three winters.

I don't use my car on the road during the colder months (even when it is working :roll:

) so I am not worried about the frost protection aspect.

by **dave-r** » 21 Jul 2007 18:09

I forgot to say. Yes you just top it up via the radiator. But run it up to temp with the cap off and the heating on full and top it up again if the level goes down. Then stick the cap back on and check the level again after using the car for a run out after it has cooled off.

There is a drain cock at the bottom of the radiator to drain the system. Some water always stays in the block though.

by **RedRaven** » 21 Jul 2007 18:19

Thanks Dave..thats a big help, another job sorted..as soon as those parts arrive from Year One..... Gimme Gimme Gimme!!!

dave-r wrote:I forgot to say. Yes you just top it up via the radiator. But run it up to temp with the cap off and the heating on full and top it up again if the level goes down. Then stick the cap back on and check the level again after using the car for a run out after it has cooled off.

There is a drain cock at the bottom of the radiator to drain the system. Some water always stays in the block though.

by **Eddie** » 21 Jul 2007 19:37

What kind of Headers do you run RR?

by **RedRaven** » 21 Jul 2007 19:42

The headers are stock dude....dont think I will go tubular!!

airfuelEddie wrote:What kind of Headers do you run RR?

by **Eddie** » 21 Jul 2007 20:49

Oh, stock exhaust manifolds,(cast iron).? Not like these?

by **RedRaven** » 21 Jul 2007 21:19

They look sweet my man.....yeah they are cast iron....

airfuelEddie wrote:Oh, stock exhaust manifolds,(cast iron).? Not like these?

by **Eddie** » 21 Jul 2007 21:22

Cool, and thanks! :thumbsup:

by **RedRaven** » 21 Jul 2007 21:27

From that pic I call tell she is your baby...the bay looks so clean....not like mine at the minute.....that will change soon enough.

airfuelEddie wrote:Cool, and thanks!

by **dave-r** » 22 Jul 2007 7:57

Stock exhaust manifolds (not called headers) are held on with studs and nuts. Not bolts.

by **RedRaven** » 22 Jul 2007 11:04

Thats where I fall down my man Im just not educated enough in this regard...suppose I got to start somewhere...

Thanks for the correction....

dave-r wrote:Stock exhaust manifolds (not called headers) are held on with studs and nuts. Not bolts.