Sealant on head bolts

[psmith]

So after putting the final 90º turn on all my head bolts while torquing down a rebuilt head for the motor I'm building I thought to myself "sh!t".

On a 1990 2.3 how many of the head bolts thread into coolant passages and need some sort of sealant? Which ones, if any?

I lubricated all the bolts in ATF prior to installing the head and failed to assess which ones thread into the water jackets on the block.

Anyone else screw up or ever do the same? Should I take a chance and run it or am I guaranteed to have an internal coolant leak?

 

[Mark_88]

I've never had to put any sealant on the head bolts...even though they are close, unless you have a crack in the head there should be no coolant leakage...if you had the head tested for cracks it should be good to go...just remember the break-in as recommended...but there are various ways to do it...I prefer to change the oil after the first 100 km...then again at 1,000 km...then again at 3,000 km...

 

[psmith]

Thanks for the reply Mark, that makes me feel a little less concerned.

How many 2.3 heads have you done without sealing the head bolts? Never had a head bolt leak coolant into the head?

Anyone else?

Do any of the head bolts hit water on this motor? Am I in the clear or should I go out and get another set of torque to yield bolts and possibly another head gasket?

 

[Mark_88]

I've done my head swap about five times now on two different engines and have never had to either seal the bolts or have any fluid leaks...unless they've done something to the newer duratek motors the Lima 2.3s are all the same...

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

you should be fine. i've done it many times. and you're not supposed to lubricate the threads of the head bolts by the way.. it alters the torque

 

[Bob Ayers]

you should be fine. i've done it many times. and you're not supposed to lubricate the threads of the head bolts by the way.. it alters the torque

According to ARP, head bolts should be lubricated:

http://www.arp-bolts.com/Tech/TechInstall.html

 

[Mark_88]

I usually do use lubrication on bolts...but sealant I've never used...not even lock-tite or similar bindings...

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

eeerrrntt fail.. i read that arp thing and found nothing about lube.. you're not supposed to use lubricant because you will over torque the bolts.

 

[psmith]

you're not supposed to lubricate the threads of the head bolts by the way.. it alters the torque

head bolt torque is specified assuming you're utilizing a lightly lubricated bolt; by not lubricating the threads you're actually under torquing the head.

so, eeerrrntt fail..

thanks for playing though.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

eeerrrnttt fail its better to under torque than to over torque

 

[psmith]

neat.

i guess that would explain why you've done so many 2.3 head gaskets.

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

neat.

i guess that would explain why you've done so many 2.3 head gaskets.

i've got to say... that was a good one lol..

but no. im a full time mechanic so i think i'll just keep doing it my way

no comebacks yet

 

[Bob Ayers]

eeerrrntt fail.. i read that arp thing and found nothing about lube.. you're not supposed to use lubricant because you will over torque the bolts.

I helped you out a little bit.....hopefully you can comprehend this:

 

[351rangerxxx]

cat, cummins, and detriot all have lube applied to head bolts to prevent friction. i also recommend that you take the correct tap and soak all holes with wd40 to help clean all junk out of holes and then use a vacum and a blow gun to completey dry the holes. cat and detriot use moly paste on the bolts and cummins ussually is engine oil but dont use alot or you may hydrolock the bolt and crack the block.

 

[Mutant Pony]

I've built many 2300s for street and racing both. I've never had a leak or gasket failure. I don't use thread sealer. I use a light lube like penetrating oil. The motor in the Mutant pony has been beaten hard for 15 years. Still no coolant leaks. Ive had the coolant temp over 230 degrees due to an inadequate fan and still no gasket failure.
I wanted to add: I prefer Victor head gaskets to any other for this motor.