OK,
The 340 Demon is undergoing a P/S pump replacement and while it is out, I'd like to fix a problem that has plaged me since I bought the car. The 340 at one time had too long of a bolt used to tighten the power steering bracket to the front of the water pump thru the timming cover and it popped thru into the coolant jacket.

Years of just filling the hole with Hi-temp sealant has worked.... but while it is apart, does anyone know of a more perminate solution? I thought of just using a long stud of the correct length, but you still need the sealant. Has anyone found a proper fix yet? I thought about pulling the engine and dropping in a 5.7 Hemi, but that's alot of work for a simple coolant leak.

Help?

Joe

The blocks were made that way. They are open to coolant in that spot. You might try teflon thread sealant--it works better that RTV for that purpose.

What Pac said & might get a new bolt which may have a several thou larger thread dia to get a slightly better class of fit on the threads & a viscous sealer. The OE bolt has been in/out of there many times

Awsome Ideas. I have had so many small blocks with and with out this issue and most of the time it is like a casting was poked thru. I have allways been cautious about using the right bolt so I dont break thru. It's really a poor set up when you thing about it. Using a stud epoxyed in the hole has allways been my thought, but when you need to remove it, it can do damage or put epoxy in the water galleys. Not cool.

Joe

it's wet just like the corner SB ex man bolts. Nothing is breaking thru & I'm wondering if from what you said that you dont have enough thread length on your choice of bolt. It's a 3/8 bolt & you'd want 1/2 or ~5/8" of thread engagement. EDIT ultra copper has reportedly been an excellent choice on the threads