Hey guys, I was pointed to this great board by my bro--a big fan with his '82 beast. Forgive a lowly X-body guy for asking for some advice. Heres the situation:
I have installed a new, "mildly" blown small block into my '71 Nova. I have a pesky water leak that I just can't track down. Water is getting into my oil, but no oil is getting into the coolant system. Also, no water is making it into the combustion chambers. I pulled my valve covers and notice that water is bubbling up my studs and past the nuts. I used thread sealant on all my studs. I am guessing that either water is somehow getting past the threads or getting through the gasket and up the studs. Water can be seen from most of the nuts on the heads. I yanked the original copper gaskets for some Fel-pros hoping that would solve my problem. But it hasn't. If anyone has any advice I would appreciate it! Thanks!!

Ben

 

well we now know how water is getting into the oil. via the studs. how much boost are you running? the heads may be lifting under boost.

 

did you use a sealer that gets hard? that might be the problem if you're luckey, all you'd have to do is pull the studs and use a sealer like PST or any liquid teflon pipe sealer.

 

Studs are notorious for leaking... I've had machinists beg me not to use them....

Use plenty of sealer under the nut washers and on the nut threads, in addition to the threads into the block. Or, switch back to bolts, if that's an option (depending on how much boost you're running)

 

Thanks for the fast replies.
I am using a non-hardening thread sealer, actually its ARP's brand. I am not running much boost, only 7 psi probably (it's a Weiand 142). I have thought about going to bolts, but haven't because of the additional cost, but if they work, hey why not. I may try sealing the top threads as well and then seeing how that goes. I didn't know studs had such a problem sealing!? Good to know.
Thanks!!!!

Ben