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Cracked Head? 440 #2595991
12/23/18 10:14 PM
12/23/18 10:14 PM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 957
Chicago
PurpleBeeper Offline OP
super stock
PurpleBeeper  Offline OP
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Posts: 957
Chicago
So, I've got the valve covers off (440) & just adjusted the valve lash. I notice that there is some coolant "weeping" out of the rear/lower valve cover bolt hole on the passenger side. Is that a cracked head?

I'm "hoping" those threads just run really, really close to the head cooling jacket & I tapped too deep cleaning up the threads.....but I'm just "hoping".


70 Roadrunner convt. street car 440+6, NOS, 4-spd, SS springs '96 Mustang GT convt. street car '04 4.6 SOHC, NOS, auto, lowered "Officer, that button is for short on-ramps"
Re: Cracked Head? 440 [Re: PurpleBeeper] #2595995
12/23/18 10:23 PM
12/23/18 10:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 31,037
Oregon
A
AndyF Offline
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AndyF  Offline
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Posts: 31,037
Oregon
Original cast iron heads are well known for cracking. Not a big surprise, they are 50 years old and have had lots of heat cycles by now. If it is a very small crack you might be able to seal it up with a stop leak type of product.

Re: Cracked Head? 440 [Re: PurpleBeeper] #2596030
12/23/18 11:30 PM
12/23/18 11:30 PM
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Posts: 1,791
Big Sky Country
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MO_PA Offline
top fuel
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Big Sky Country
If I'm not mistaken the lower end holes go into the water jacket that's why Ma Mopar put studs in the holes

Last edited by MO_PA; 12/23/18 11:31 PM.
Re: Cracked Head? 440 [Re: PurpleBeeper] #2596031
12/23/18 11:32 PM
12/23/18 11:32 PM
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,220
West Plains, MO
DrCharles Offline
master
DrCharles  Offline
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Posts: 4,220
West Plains, MO
The valve cover bolt holes don't (normally), at least on any iron big block head I've ever had. confused Only the exhaust port holes...

Re: Cracked Head? 440 [Re: PurpleBeeper] #2596041
12/23/18 11:44 PM
12/23/18 11:44 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
Supercuda Offline
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Supercuda  Offline
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Posts: 14,889
up yours
It's not unknown for valve cover boltholes to hit water. Not supposed to but stuff happens.


They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.
Re: Cracked Head? 440 [Re: Supercuda] #2596071
12/24/18 12:54 AM
12/24/18 12:54 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 171
IL
B
BlwnCrcab Offline
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BlwnCrcab  Offline
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Posts: 171
IL
I had on with a broken vc bolt
when I drilled it out went too far hit water
didn't leak w bolt or stud in it

Re: Cracked Head? 440 [Re: PurpleBeeper] #2596141
12/24/18 02:59 AM
12/24/18 02:59 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,190
Bend,OR USA
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Cab_Burge Offline
I Win
Cab_Burge  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,190
Bend,OR USA
If it is leaking fix it now, it won't fix itself work whistling grin
You might want to use some two part epoxy, JB weld or?, on a stud for that hole, drain the radiator first and clean that hole out thoroughly first though before starting to patch it up up twocents

Last edited by Cab_Burge; 12/24/18 02:59 AM.

Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Cracked Head? 440 [Re: PurpleBeeper] #2596268
12/24/18 01:40 PM
12/24/18 01:40 PM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 957
Chicago
PurpleBeeper Offline OP
super stock
PurpleBeeper  Offline OP
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 957
Chicago
Thanks everyone. I could not see any visible cracks & the engine has been running strong. I put some RTV silicone in that hole before screwing in the valve cover bolt....we'll see. No sign of antifreeze in the oil.


70 Roadrunner convt. street car 440+6, NOS, 4-spd, SS springs '96 Mustang GT convt. street car '04 4.6 SOHC, NOS, auto, lowered "Officer, that button is for short on-ramps"
Re: Cracked Head? 440 [Re: PurpleBeeper] #2600984
01/03/19 03:26 PM
01/03/19 03:26 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,365
Marion, South Carolina [><]
an8sec70cuda Offline
I Live Here
an8sec70cuda  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 13,365
Marion, South Carolina [><]
I had a 906 head that one of the bottom corner valve cover bolts went into a water jacket. A little sealer on that bolt and no problems.


CHIP
'70 hemicuda, 575" Hemi, 727, Dana 60
'69 road runner, 440-6, 18 spline 4 speed, Dana 60
'71 Demon, 340, low gear 904, 8.75
'73 Chrysler New Yorker, 440, 727, 8.75
'90 Chevy 454SS Silverado, 476" BBC, TH400, 14 bolt
'06 GMC 2500HD LBZ Duramax






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