Engine break in "not so much"

[747mopar]

well I informed you guys a couple of weeks ago that I finally fired my motor but needed to finish up a few things before running it for any amount of time. I attempted the break in today, All I can say is man does that thing have some wicked throttle response and sounds down right nasty.:headbang: Shortly into the break in smoke started rolling out everywhere, I thought man I know paint will burn off the headers but this is ridiculous and shut it off. A brief inspection taught me another Mopar lesson "the header bolts go into the water jacket" oh well at least it wasn't smoke, just steam. I didn't get to run it long enough to see the temp but the oil pressure was 75psi and everything sounded great. Now for a couple questions, do all bolts go into the water jacket? What's the best sealant to use on these (copper high temp rtv)? Maybe next week I can get the pitman arm and drive it back and forth in the garage haha. All in all it was a good night, got to actually hear it run for a while and find what hopefully is the last of the issues.

 

[benno440]

most of them not all ,cant remember which ones exactly, rtv silicone will work, aluminium heads dont have blind holes lol

good to hear it went well for you mate

 

[rsd859]

Thats great!!! Glad you got to hear your hard work pay off!!!!

 

[tallhair]

My Dad taught me to use teflon tape on on the threads of anything going through the water jacket and we never had any issues with leaks.

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

There are a couple of threads on that subject, on my 383 the studs that go into water jackets are either end and I think one in the middle. You do need to use a sealant let it set a few minutes first too before threading in the stud.

 

[747mopar]

I could tell that at least the end ones and one other toward the middle was leaking, I guess I'll just do them all and be safe, besides a little sealer will also help keep the bolts from vibrating out.

 

[tallhair]

If you change your mind on what you are going to use, wind the telflon tape (otherwise known as plumbers tape) from the bottom of the threads up toward the top of the bolt. And something I forgot to mention, TT's specific purpose in life is to seal threads to keep water from going past the tape and up the threads. If you only use it for automotive use, one roll will probably last a lifetime and it's dirt cheap. my .02

 

[747mopar]

If you change your mind on what you are going to use, wind the telflon tape (otherwise known as plumbers tape) from the bottom of the threads up toward the top of the bolt. And something I forgot to mention, TT's specific purpose in life is to seal threads to keep water from going past the tape and up the threads. If you only use it for automotive use, one roll will probably last a lifetime and it's dirt cheap. my .02

I'm thinking about trying that, I never knew whether or not it would work well because with pipe threads they are tapered and actually compress the threads as you tighten them. If you say it works then it must work. When I worked on steam lines I actually found that using Teflon tape with pipe dope on top sealed so well that I never had to fix a leak again.

 

[tallhair]

I'm thinking about trying that, I never knew whether or not it would work well because with pipe threads they are tapered and actually compress the threads as you tighten them. If you say it works then it must work.

One more tip, with the bolt head near you, start on the left side of the threads as you took down at it and work your way up to the head. purpose to help keep the tape from unwinding as you screw it in ... not that hard if you do that .. don't use too much just a little overlap as you wind it up.

I'm not saying it's the only way and i'm sure the sealant works too but I've never used that. TT has worked for me every time. Good luck

 

[HawkRod]

If you change your mind on what you are going to use, wind the telflon tape (otherwise known as plumbers tape) from the bottom of the threads up toward the top of the bolt. And something I forgot to mention, TT's specific purpose in life is to seal threads to keep water from going past the tape and up the threads. If you only use it for automotive use, one roll will probably last a lifetime and it's dirt cheap. my .02

I'm with Tall on the use of Teflon tape. It is easy, quick, not messy, and works consistently. I make sure I wrap it on the bolt so that the threading action "tightens" the Teflon tape. For example, if you look down the bolt from the bolt head, wrap the Teflon tape counter clockwise.

 

[tallhair]

I'm with Tall on the use of Teflon tape. It is easy, quick, not messy, and works consistently. I make sure I wrap it on the bolt so that the threading action "tightens" the Teflon tape. For example, if you look down the bolt from the bolt head, wrap the Teflon tape counter clockwise.

well said that's the point i was trying to make hsorman

 

[747mopar]

I'll try to do it tonight but the wife has an all day shopping extravaganza planned, probably won't get home till late. Oh well, I got the little ones all to myself today and will be sure to enjoy every second of it "probably in the woods". Thanks guys

 

[Cranky]

Generally, it's just the ends that go into the water jackets but I've seen some where other bolt holes went into it too. One way to find out is when you pull out the bolts, you can check how deep they go. They are usually only about 7/8" deep (from the face of the gasket face) unless they go into the jacket.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Never in my life have I had luck with teflon tape on standard bolt threads........because it's not made for them. You have to put way too much tape on a standard thread bolt to get it to seal. Teflon tape is strictly made for pipe threads whose pitch is really close. That said, I have had the best results with Permatex high temp red. Make sure the holes are clean and DRY, install the studs and let them dry 24 solid hours. Problem solved. Oh and only the two end holes on each head go through to the water jacket. On the early Hemis, there are MANY holes on the heads that go into the water jacket or into the valve cover area. You can bet your *** I ain't doin that but ONCE. Permatex is what I will use.

 

[tallhair]

Well I would never argue with you Rusty or the other knowledgeable folks here, was just offering my own experience as that's all I've always used and have never had a problem or had it fail. Just can't put it on too thick as a little goes a long ways just like with pipe threads, and you have to go against the grain or counter clock wise to keep it from backing up the threads as you screw it in for this application like hsorman said. I bow to your experience in all things mechanical but I'll keep using teflon tape.

oh and I doubt I'll ever be working on a Hemi

 

[747mopar]

Obviously you guys have had luck with both Teflon tape and RTV, if you say it worked for you than I believe you "leave it at that". I like Permatex #2 for most things "works great for me" but never had to deal with water jacket bolt holes in which I don't think it would be ideal. I use it on all pipe threads, thermostat covers, timing chain covers, etc. I appreciate the suggestions and will try to resolve it today. Thanks

 

[Shuboxlover]

Now you guys have me wondering.....

I am REALLY close to firing up the 69 RR....(it has a crate 426 in it) Am I going to run into this problem?

If I am, I should seal the header bolts before I put antifreeze in it.

Please let me know.

 

[Cornpatch MO]

No one has mentioned that you can get teflon sealer in a tube (I think permatex) I really dislike teflon tape, not that it doesn't work, but it shreds, you have to wind it the right way , and tearing it off the roll can be a b**ch. Also leaves teflon bits to clean out of the threads when you remove the part.
I highly recommend the teflon sealer in the tube.
I have had the experience of water leaking bolts in early hemis, even the valve cover bolts. I alwauys check bolt holes in heads with a piece of wire or a small screw driver................MO

 

[747mopar]

:walk:

Now you guys have me wondering.....

I am REALLY close to firing up the 69 RR....(it has a crate 426 in it) Am I going to run into this problem?

If I am, I should seal the header bolts before I put antifreeze in it.

Please let me know.

As you can see I'm new to building Mopar motors but I can assure you it will likely leak a fair amount of coolant if not sealed. Not a big deal at all and nothing to get concerned about, just pull the bolts and seal them and forget it. Cornpatch, I might add that most pipe dopes are Teflon.

 

[RustyRatRod]

It's really a matter of what works for you. IMO, teflon tape doesn't work as well as RTV on standard bolts because a standard bolt's threads are much farther apart and much taller than pipe threads. That means that the teflon tape will fall all the way into the grooves between the threads and it will take more tape to make the bolt seal. I've even seen cases where teflon tape on a bolt caused something to crack as a result of the tape on the bolt. Use what works for you. Nobody's arguing or callin anybody out. I'm simply stating what works best for me and why, just like everybody else.

And as for the Hemi, with my wife loosing her job on Valentine's Day and me loosing mine next Friday, I seriously doubt I'll get to keep it.