Black2003SS Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 Thats right. I blew a header gasket and noticed that one...only of hte header bolts had coolant leaking from it on the ground. The gasket was saturated with coolant around that bolt hole and exhaust port. I changed the cheap gasket that came with my pace setters and put in some good felpros. The good news is the leak has stopped temporarily. Obviously I fixed the header leak as well. But my question is, is it normal on these LS1 style heads to have coolant in the header bolt holes? I dont know anything about how coolant circulates on these engines. Could I ruptured a water jacket in the head? I checked the oil and there is no water/coolant in the oil and the truck runs awesome, no funny noises or anything. If I cracked the head, wouldnt everything be a mess? Or blew a head gasket? I doubt it is that, but wanted to check with some experts out there. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GotBoost Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 Thats right. I blew a header gasket and noticed that one...only of hte header bolts had coolant leaking from it on the ground. The gasket was saturated with coolant around that bolt hole and exhaust port. I changed the cheap gasket that came with my pace setters and put in some good felpros. The good news is the leak has stopped temporarily. Obviously I fixed the header leak as well. But my question is, is it normal on these LS1 style heads to have coolant in the header bolt holes? I dont know anything about how coolant circulates on these engines. Could I ruptured a water jacket in the head? I checked the oil and there is no water/coolant in the oil and the truck runs awesome, no funny noises or anything. If I cracked the head, wouldnt everything be a mess? Or blew a head gasket? I doubt it is that, but wanted to check with some experts out there. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I'm no expert but you usualy don't find coolant in the exhaust. The systems are seperate from each other...unless a blown head gasket etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black2003SS Posted June 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 Thats what I thought too, but if it was a head gasket, I would be puffing white smoke out the tail pipes or have coolant in the oil pan...neither of which I have. Plus, performance and comperession would down as well. The coolant is actually coming from the header bolt...its not in the "exhaust" system or anything. Since I replaced the header gasket, the truck runs flawless and soudns badass...so I am hoping I am ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GotBoost Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 (edited) It's been a freaken long ass time since I've worked on anything like a SBC but I recall they did have a bolt on something like the Power stearing etc ( Older blocks) that went into the water jacket. Please don't quote me on that lol Anyways, that maybe something they did with the 6.0L? Umm now I'm thinking it was a bolt on the machnical fuel pump that went into the oil area...damn I hate when I forget this stuff Edited June 25, 2006 by GotBoost (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenKey Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 I can't remember if cooling is in the header bolt area or not, but can't say I would have looked. It doesn't mean coolant is in the exhaust. The exhaust flows through a runner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misterp Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 It's been a freaken long ass time since I've worked on anything like a SBC but I recall they did have a bolt on something like the Power stearing etc ( Older blocks) that went into the water jacket. Please don't quote me on that lol Anyways, that maybe something they did with the 6.0L? Umm now I'm thinking it was a bolt on the machnical fuel pump that went into the oil area...damn I hate when I forget this stuff I have not worked on the LSx exhaust (yet!) but it is common for some engine head designs to have the header bolts thread right into the coolant passage; I would try doping the bolt threads with hi-temp RTV. Good to hear you like the headers Mr. P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GotBoost Posted June 26, 2006 Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 (edited) Thats cool, here I was thinking I was loosing my mind...like I really have one to loose lol Edited June 26, 2006 by GotBoost (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black2003SS Posted June 26, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2006 Good news. I spoke to a master mechanic at a chevy dealership and he said yes, two or three of the bolts on the LS1 style heads and gen III engines do tap into the water jackets. He said some RTV or other type of sealer will cure the problem. No cracked head!!! So relieved right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chas Posted February 29, 2020 Report Share Posted February 29, 2020 (edited) 92 4.3 overheated, pulling heads there was a strong stream of water come out of one of the header bolt holes when I removed the bolt. Bad engine? Edited February 29, 2020 by Chas (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.