I have had a simple operation really kicking my butt lately, replacing the water pump on my 401 in my 32 roadster. First off, after initial fire up of the 401 I soon saw coolant leakage that I traced to a spot by a bolt where I could see the paper gasket has pushed out a bit. I then saw that my NOS water pump was leaking out the weep hole. So I got a rebuilt WP from Tony the Flying Dutchman (Nice) and removed the pump, made sure all surfaces were super clean and installed the new pump, I used good 'ol Permatex and let sit overnight before refilling and running. Well all seemed OK for a few runs but now I have coolant leaking again, from a different bolt (yes, I am using thread sealant on the bolts that go into the water jacket) and I see the paper gasket by the bolt is pushed out a bit. I have not gone crazy tightening these bolts but I must be over torquing them. Although not the problem, I am going to use a different gasket sealer, anyone recommend a thin film of RTV? I used Edelbrock's Gasgacinch (yes, that's how it's spelled) gasket cement on the thermostat housing and the water crossover gaskets, dry as bone, may try that. But on that bolt torquing, anyone have a recomendation as to how much is enough? Thanks much!
I usually don't use sealant on paper gaskets. just a thin layer of grease to hold it in place while I get it lined up and tighten. not torque it just tight. I think the water pump bolts are like 15lb.
Hey Briz, Thanks for chiming in on my question.......... anyone else have an opinion or experience to share?? Thanks again!
Well, I use the permatex 300... but ,,, I let it dry for a bit,,, 30 mins or so.... till it gets good and tacky... then , well , let me back up here.... clean the surfaces and put the 300 on the t/c and the water pump... none on the gasket,,, wait 30 to 45 minutes,,, enough time for a good cup of coffee.....:Brow: sammich it all together and tighten to about 12 or so lbs.... never had a problem......:Brow:
Thanks guys for the replies..... I read somewhere that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Well,... I have installed/uninstalled my rebuilt waterpump 4 times, using Best and Felpro gaskets, permatex and a high quality aviation gasket sealer, and have gone from leakage while the engine is running, to now, flat out dripping (from the kickout part of the pump just above the lower hose) after just filling the radiator...... I am going backwards fast!! Although I have run a steel rule over both the pump and timing cover gasket surfaces and they appear true, I suspect the cast aluminum timing cover. When it came back from polishing, it was somewhat warped, however it seemed to true out when bolted down to the block, could it have hairline cracked??? I would like to drive this thing sometime yet this year, who was it on this site that offered a new timing cover casting?? TA is selling them but I thought I'd try to contact the manufacturer. Thanks !!!!! Scott
Scott, you may be on to something here,,,, I have seen ''sand holes'' in castings before.... and very , very small cracks.... and,,, and,,,, :Brow: water does sometimes leak from a point, and then run down to another point and drip off....take a real hard look at that timing cover... it may not be the water pump at all.....and dont forget to check out the water manifold and the connection to the timing cover.....that is a weak point in the system.....:idea2:
Hey Doc, Thanks again for the response. From the first fire up I have closely watched the water cross over pipe as I EXPECTED a leak where it enters the timing cover.... however this area has always been dry as dust. Who was it on this site that offered new timing covers?? I'll do a search but I'm just asking. Thank you! Scott
I have commented elsewhere that RTV is not a gasket sealer. I would either go with Doc's suggestion to use mung (Permatex), or as someone else suggested, just a tiny dab of grease to hold the gasket in place. I used no gasket sealer on my Nailhead, and seven years later it still is dry.
are your sure its not coming out the lower hose, if you push the hose to far on, you will go over a little knob on the water pump neck where the hose goes on and will never seal.
Guys, thanks for the input, John, I agree, I am not using RTV. and regarding the lower hose, it is seated up against the knob, not over it, and it is not leaking. Has anyone purchased a new timing cover?? Thanks, Scott
Give russle Martin a call. His website is nailheadbuick.com ---------- Post added at 10:39 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:36 AM ---------- If you dont mind me askin, what five speed did you put to your 401, whos adapter did you use, and what flywheel.
This may be the link you were looking for regarding new timimg covers. Im not sure if they still produce them? Hopefully someone here will let us know. Paul Bowsher Rocking B Enterprises http://www.collectioncar.com/detailed.php?ad=697&category_id=2 http://www.rodandcustommagazine.com/rodshop/1001rc_rod_shop_january_2010/viewall.html
Hey Dirk, Yes, I gave good 'ol Russ a call, going to get a nice used cover from him. I am using a Tremec TKO 600 5 speed mated to a Bendtsen bellhousing and flywheel. I found out today that TA Perfomance bought tooling from Bowsher regarding new covers, any new production is months away,....... so I was told. So, my quest for no coolant leaks continues............ray: Scott
I wanted to submit a follow up to this thread I started some time ago. The problem was indeed the timing cover which was warped. The kick out portion above the lower hose was warped rearward so slightly and the last rebuilt waterpump installed was curved slightly forward in this same area, enabling the coolant to drip even as I was filling the radiator. I got a different timing cover, had local machine shop make sure all surfaces were true, and got an awsome NEW waterpump from Russ Martin. Buttoned it all up and everything is DRY, NO DRIPS, NO LEAKS !! Now to get my hyd clutch setup working properly and I may yet drive this thing!! Scott
Thanks Scott for sharing the update. It is always good to hear people finding solutions to the problems; and another to add to the memory bank for future reference.
