Sealer for leaky heads

Mike Pearson · 08-05-2008, 11:23 AM

I am working on a set of super stock small chevy 441 heads. They are leaking water in the corners of the valve spring pockets due to cutting them out for triple springs. Anybody used a sealer that you pour into the waterjacket to seal the leaks. Any ideas?

Thanks
Mike

Daran Summerton · 08-05-2008, 12:02 PM

If no solution, I have some 441's --- stop by the house and checkem out. Daran 863 604 4868

SSDiv6 · 08-05-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Pearson

I am working on a set of super stock small chevy 441 heads. They are leaking water in the corners of the valve spring pockets due to cutting them out for triple springs. Anybody used a sealer that you pour into the waterjacket to seal the leaks. Any ideas?

Thanks
Mike

Try the sealer from Goodson.

http://www.goodson.com/store/templat...l.php?IID=5928

Kenny Wigington · 08-05-2008, 01:10 PM

X2 on the Goodson stuff !!

Rich Biebel · 08-06-2008, 07:03 AM

We used Devcon liquid steel. Buy it in pints. Heated it up on a hot plate so it was very liquid and poured it inside the water jacket and turned the head so the Devcon would flow to the spot where the hole was. Prop it up and let it sit overnight. We also would use the same stuff under a spring seat shim on top of the hole. It works for a while but might weap a little. We also tried some epoxy type automotive paint poured in the same way....It's real easy to pop a hole in the end spring seat pads on many SB Chevy heads. If you limit the depth of the cut with a .060" stock spring shim and put a radius on the seat cutter it helps reduce the chances of hitting water.......

Mike Pearson · 08-06-2008, 10:20 AM

After careful inspection I found the spot where the leak is located. It is in the spring pocket where it got thin after machining for the big springs. We used the 060 shim but still cut through in several pockets. Those repairs were made with brass. The radius cutter probably would have helped. Great idea!! I am going to either braze or silver solder this leak. Anyone have any suggestions. Then we will probably use the goodson sealer after the welded repair.

Thanks for the help.
Mike

Dave Goob Cook · 08-07-2008, 09:12 AM

K-W Metallic Block Sealer works well in assembled, hot engines, per directions, and it's permanent.

08-07-2008, 05:22 PM

i brazed a leak closed ,it has held for years,,,good luck

08-07-2008, 05:32 PM

i brazed a leak closed ,it has held for years,,,good luck

Aaron Keown · 08-08-2008, 01:50 PM

Whatever type of sealer you decide to use,the best way to get it to seal properly is to block off the water jackets and put the head under vacuum so that you can suck the sealer up into the crack/hole.This is how professional crack repair shops do it.

08-05-2008, 11:23 AM	#1
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,438 Likes: 611 Liked 1,905 Times in 572 Posts	Sealer for leaky heads I am working on a set of super stock small chevy 441 heads. They are leaking water in the corners of the valve spring pockets due to cutting them out for triple springs. Anybody used a sealer that you pour into the waterjacket to seal the leaks. Any ideas? Thanks Mike __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

08-05-2008, 12:02 PM	#2
Daran Summerton Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Las Vegas nv Posts: 600 Likes: 18 Liked 66 Times in 37 Posts	Re: Sealer for leaky heads If no solution, I have some 441's --- stop by the house and checkem out. Daran 863 604 4868

08-05-2008, 01:10 PM	#4
Kenny Wigington Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Cumming,Ga. USA Posts: 967 Likes: 36 Liked 60 Times in 12 Posts	Re: Sealer for leaky heads X2 on the Goodson stuff !! __________________ 2894 STK

08-06-2008, 07:03 AM	#5
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,314 Likes: 25 Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts	Re: Sealer for leaky heads We used Devcon liquid steel. Buy it in pints. Heated it up on a hot plate so it was very liquid and poured it inside the water jacket and turned the head so the Devcon would flow to the spot where the hole was. Prop it up and let it sit overnight. We also would use the same stuff under a spring seat shim on top of the hole. It works for a while but might weap a little. We also tried some epoxy type automotive paint poured in the same way....It's real easy to pop a hole in the end spring seat pads on many SB Chevy heads. If you limit the depth of the cut with a .060" stock spring shim and put a radius on the seat cutter it helps reduce the chances of hitting water....... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R

08-06-2008, 10:20 AM	#6
Mike Pearson VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 2,438 Likes: 611 Liked 1,905 Times in 572 Posts	Re: Sealer for leaky heads After careful inspection I found the spot where the leak is located. It is in the spring pocket where it got thin after machining for the big springs. We used the 060 shim but still cut through in several pockets. Those repairs were made with brass. The radius cutter probably would have helped. Great idea!! I am going to either braze or silver solder this leak. Anyone have any suggestions. Then we will probably use the goodson sealer after the welded repair. Thanks for the help. Mike __________________ Mike Pearson 2485 SS

08-07-2008, 09:12 AM	#7
Dave Goob Cook Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indy Posts: 422 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Sealer for leaky heads K-W Metallic Block Sealer works well in assembled, hot engines, per directions, and it's permanent.

08-07-2008, 05:22 PM	#8
larry lomascolo Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Sealer for leaky heads i brazed a leak closed ,it has held for years,,,good luck

08-07-2008, 05:32 PM	#9
larry lomascolo Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Sealer for leaky heads i brazed a leak closed ,it has held for years,,,good luck

08-08-2008, 01:50 PM	#10
Aaron Keown Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: 1710 Dutch Lane,Jeffersonville,IN Posts: 63 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Sealer for leaky heads Whatever type of sealer you decide to use,the best way to get it to seal properly is to block off the water jackets and put the head under vacuum so that you can suck the sealer up into the crack/hole.This is how professional crack repair shops do it.