Joined: Jun 2022 Posts: 17 Threads: 5
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Location: UK
Car type: Austin Ruby
After engine rebuild refit etc the Ruby MK 2 is now starting and idling quite well. Problem we seem to have now is coolant leaking from a number of manifold stud brass nuts. The manifold itself does not seem to be leaking any exhaust gases or fuel.
Are there any well used fixes?
We were thinking of undoing one nut at a time and getting some blue hylomar in there before refitting washer and nut or is it best to tackle this at the cylinder head end and remove the manifold completely?
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 2,400 Threads: 33
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Location: Deepest Frogland 30960
Car type: 1933 RP Standard Saloon
The leaks come from the threads of the manifold studs where they're screwed into the engine block as some of the drillings penetrate into the coolant gallery. The best, and usually permanent fix is to take the manifold off and then remove the offending stud and refit using some loctite. That is somewhat simplistic because often you will either shear off a stud or damage it trying to extract it. Better to be forearmed with some new replacements before tacking the job.
Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,108 Threads: 110
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Location: Llandrindod Wells
Car type: 29 Special, 30 RK, 28 C Cab
Hi
Not the best practice, but I’ve just removed the nuts, smeared Threebond on the threads and washer, tightened back up. These kind of leaks tend to heal after a while (there is always the exception to the rule!)
Howard
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 1,018 Threads: 53
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Location: The delightful town of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire
I took nuts off one-at-a-time and wrapped PTFE tape around, then put nuts back on. (better not mention the k-seal as not everyone is happy with it).
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 327 Threads: 1
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Location: Bristol
Seal the studs in the block if water gets drawn into the inlet ports it will damage the pistons. Terry.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 1,462 Threads: 26
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Location: North Yorkshire
09-09-2024, 06:45 PM
(This post was last modified: 09-09-2024, 11:36 PM by Steve Jones.)
I always fit manifold and block studs with a turn or two of PTFE tape as a matter of course. Just make sure you wind it on such that it doesn't unwind when you fit the studs
Steve
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 782 Threads: 26
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Location: On a hill in Wiltshire
Radweld, in the short term?
Joined: Jan 2019 Posts: 1,567 Threads: 20
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Location: Bala North Wales
Car type: 1933 RP Standard Saloon
Every time I have had my engine seriously to bits, I have always ended up with a small coolant leak. A bottle of K-seal works wonders!
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 1,534 Threads: 60
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Live in a hard water area.
A fill with of tap water tends to seal minor weeps, but I do put them in with loctite to be safe.
