Novice needs help

B

bigddutchman

Junior Member
See my photo. Bought my 35 coupe with a later flathead about 6 weeks ago. Now, oil is showing up leaking from a head bolt. The bolt is the one on the bottom leg of the decorative oil filter case which is not hooked up. I am prepared to remove the chrome filter case and replace and tighten down the three nuts at the torque specified (which I don't know at this time).
It looks like there may be a bit of oil floating at the top of the radiator water. I haven't changed the oil yet, to see if there is water in the oil pan.
QUESTIONS:
1- Am I on the right track?
2- Can I seal the offending bolt when I replace the nut?
3- When should I drive the car again?-
- Now?
- After removing the filter case and trying to seal the offending bolt?
4- If I can't seal the leak, should I drive the car?
- Will it be necessary to have the possible block crack fixed, or the
engine replaced?
I WILL APPRECIATE WHATEVER HELP I CAN GET. PLEASE USE LANGUAGE THAT A NOVICE CAN UNDERSTAND IF/WHEN YOU REPLY.
THANKS
 

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Pull out your dipstick and see if there is water beads in the oil. Is the bottom of the oil filter dirty/oily? Could the oil be dripping out of the oil filter? even though you have it disconnected? Remove the oil pan drain plug and quickly replace it. Any water in the bottom?
 
to start with you need to state what year the engine is before we can give you accurate torque readings, oil leaking out of a head bolt or stud is not good, either the block or head is warped, or torque was done wrong, remove the filter and retorque all the head bolts working from the center out, center of head to top of head, center of head to end of head use a circle pattern run engine till its up to operating temp, let cool and retorque, do that at least 3 times, head torque 1935 t0 1948 #50 to#60, 1949 to 1953 #65 to #70, dont tighten bolts all the way on first pass, tighten in 3 passes, first pass 40 # second pass 55# third pass 70#
 
I'm pretty sure there is no way a head bolt will leak oil. There's no oil under it, only water.

It must be coming from the filter, it may not be in use now, but it must have been in use at some time, and oil is now leaking from it.

I repeat, you will not get oil from a head bolt.

Mart.
 
That is coming from the filter housing, not the head bolt. As stated by Mart. Most likely dripping from the bottom fitting. If the filter is not being used remove it. Re torque the head bolts on that side. Just be sure to change the oil more often (1000-1500 miles).
 
Check the oil and see if it is over full and or gray in color which may indicate water in the oil. kc
 
yep, yank the oil filter, then see what you have.....my guess is it's running down the back of the filter mount, where you can't see it.....good luck....Mike
 
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