Cracked Bolt Hole In Block---Advice Needed

[kilomanjaro]

Ok, here is the story, my friend and I were bolting a power steering unit onto a 350 motor in a 72 pickup I am working on. When we were bolting on the power steering brackets, we used a bolt that was too long and an impact wrench that was too powerful! Bolt went throught the back of the hole and antifreeze started leaking out. Any advice?? Will RTV seal up the the threads and keep it from leaking? What about that chunk of metal, is is going to eat waterpumps now? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
JOHN

[Jeepster376]

That's not a good situation, but if you wanna give it a shot, I would put pipe thread sealant in the threads and RTV between the bracket and the block, and finish it off with a copper washer under the bolt head.

The broken chunk will most likely settle to a corner in the block and stay there.

[RON WOODGEARD]

Originally Posted by Jeepster376

That's not a good situation, but if you wanna give it a shot, I would put pipe thread sealant in the threads and RTV between the bracket and the block, and finish it off with a copper washer under the bolt head.

The broken chunk will most likely settle to a corner in the block and stay there.

I hate learning sessions


But I agree with Jeepster, threadsealer, and Silicone sealer. You'll be fine as long as it didn't break anything else..

[Warrens69GMC]

The best bet is thread sealant on a stud. (Don't want to say jb)
warren69gmc

[rickspickuppart]

GM makes a stopleak that they use in the late models caddillacs to seal up the heads and stop electrolosis in the aluminum parts, I have used it in the past and it works alot better than alumaseal and doesn't build up and create sludge.

Shawn

[cdowns]

i agree with trying the thread sealer. i'd also suggest not using an impact gun again until you become more familar with it's proper usage

[Fred T]

Go to the parts store and get Permatex High Performance Teflon thread sealer.
http://www.permatex.com/products/pro...&item_no=56521

Also, if you want to use air tools, get an air drive ratchet, they are far easier to control.

[grayw0lf]

Can I make a suggestion... Do not use an impact wrench for small things like that. Bad idea IMO. Try an air rachet next time. Impact wrenches are good for breaking stuff loose working w/ anything too tight for a long wrench. Other than that, I think I'd keep to my rachets.

Be sure to follow recommended torquing recommendations.

John

[Crank]

You really dont gotta worry about sealing it up, every waterpump bolt goes thru the block doesnt it? To where when you pull the motor with no water pump, antifreeze goes thru the big holes and the bolt holes? If it's just antifreeze, put some silicone around the correct size bolt, then put 'er in.
Brandon

[crazy longhorn]

yup , those are the same holes used for the old style front eng mount brackets(tri 5 chevy v8's). a long time ago I helped a bud drop a 350 in his 57 belair, & one of the holes wasnt drilled from the factory.....long story short, i drilled a tad too deep, & green stuff started leaking. the dude almost cryed! I said, "aw hell, we will tap it & put a little dope on the bolt & screw it in". Formagasket aviation was the choice back then, & that booger never did leak. if you look at how many bolts go into waterjacket....you wont be scared crazyL

[Hooter]

as I like to say "uh-oh silicone!" that stuff works in many situations, even to seal up some good cuts, plus it stay flexible on your skin there isnt huge amounts of psi when it comes to the antifreeze and chances are youll have antifreeze leak somewhere else before it leaks out of there, if the bolt is sealed