Head gasket?

[Lt.Mike]

I’ve been working my way to replacing the throwout bearing in my ‘58 Lo-Boy so today I slid under it to have a look thru the port to see just how bad it was, it didn’t disappoint.
I saw something else though, coolant dripping down the left side of the block. Following it up I found it around the two rear sparkplugs and it seems to be coming from around the head bolt that sits between them.
I haven’t done a compression check or messed with the bolt yet. Honestly I’m afraid too. Not wanting to deal with snapped head bolts.
The engine runs really well but does run hot at times.
It’s fires up readily and idles smooth.
Even so I’m thinking I might be dealing with a blown head gasket. Not sure though as there is no water in the oil or oil in the water. No white smoke thru the exhaust. It does have oil collecting on top of the oil filter housing. I attribute that to a leaking gasket which will be changed with the oil. Oil pressure isn’t abnormal.
I’m kinda thinking of just replacing the TO bearing, putting it back together and getting thru winter plow duty to worry about it in the spring.
What do you guys and gals think?

[Eugene]

Gently remove the head bolt and put sealants on the threads. Break the bolt, then pull the head.

[Glen]

Hi,
If the coolant is coming out through the bolt hole, it could simply be that the bolt threads need sealer put on them, and then torque the bolt.

You need to drain the coolant before removing the bolt.
I would wash the bolt with clean water, and wash down the bolt hole before putting the bolt in again.
Antifreeze leaves a sticky film on metal, and it should be washed off, before putting sealer on, so the sealer can stick.
To wash the bolt hole out, save the drained coolant if you are going to use it again, and leave the drain plug out, wash with a garden hose and nozzle down the bolt hole, then dry it some, using compressed air down the hole. Wear your safety goggles when using the water and air.
The water will run out the drain hole.
Permatex Aviation Form A Gasket works good for head bolts. They sell it at NAPA here in the west.
It comes in a small can, stir it well before using it, it settles some in the bottom of the can sitting.

It's hard to tell without being there to see it, but this is one thing it could be.

[Jim in SC]

Sounds familiar, El Tee. I've got to wash out a head bolt hole or dozen this week too! Enjoy.

[Lt.Mike]

Sounds like it could be a simple fix but only if I don’t break that bolt. Not feeling very lucky or brave with that right now so I might wait for spring and hopefully have some of my bigger projects in that long list of to do’s done and off my mind.
Maybe with less on my plate Murphy’s law will take pity on me and the bolt will come out in one piece.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

If the head has been removed in the not too distant past, the chances are good the head bolts will come out with no trouble. It is a good idea to run a tap down through each hole to clean the threads before putting the head back on. If it still has the original head bolts, replacing them is a good idea. If you do break one or two, etc. they are not that difficult to put Heli coils in. I like to use a medium size impact, and if I get one that is stuck I rock it forward and backward quite a bit which frequently breaks it loose. When one breaks I take my angle grinder and touch it up so the top is straight across, then set the head back on and snug it with two or three bolts, and run a 3/8 drill down through the head to mark the center of the bolt, then remove the head and carefully drill it out keeping the drill vertical. You will need the correct drill and tap for the Helicoil, they are odd sizes on the outside.

[Lt.Mike]

If the head has been removed in the not too distant past, the chances are good the head bolts will come out with no trouble. It is a good idea to run a tap down through each hole to clean the threads before putting the head back on. If it still has the original head bolts, replacing them is a good idea. If you do break one or two, etc. they are not that difficult to put Heli coils in. I like to use a medium size impact, and if I get one that is stuck I rock it forward and backward quite a bit which frequently breaks it loose. When one breaks I take my angle grinder and touch it up so the top is straight across, then set the head back on and snug it with two or three bolts, and run a 3/8 drill down through the head to mark the center of the bolt, then remove the head and carefully drill it out keeping the drill vertical. You will need the correct drill and tap for the Helicoil, they are odd sizes on the outside.

I don’t believe the head has ever been off the engine. Yes unless it’s through bolted with a nut I always use new bolts.
I’ve dealt with broken bolts before and with luck if it breaks it’ll break above the block so I can weld a nut onto what’s left. I like the tip on using the head as a drill guide.
May pull out every trick I know when I do decide to take the risk. Like giving the bolt head a sharp rap with a ball peen to possibly break its grip.
For now I’ll just keep adding coolant.

[k hutchins]

Lt
For what it's worth, my opinion is with you. If that is your snow plow tractor you don't want it incapacitated for a lengthy repair. Now replacing a head gasket isn't a long job even if you break one off and have to drill and tap. I would either not start unless you have all parts and supplies on hand to start, or wait until spring. Just check and keep your antifreeze topped off before each use.

JMO
Hutch