Water leak from timing cover area (1966- 327)

[Douglas G.]

Do the threaded bolt holes for the timing cover bolts go through into the water jacket?
Thanks for your help.
Doug

[Jim D.]

Re: Water leak from timing cover area (1966- 327)

No. They are blind holes.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Water leak from timing cover area (1966- 327)

Douge,
You have a 90% chance that it is your water pump.
There is a hole under it and if you get a small mirror you can inspect it to see if it has a trace of water.

DOM

[Douglas G.]

Re: Water leak from timing cover area (1966- 327)

The water is leaking without the engine running.I just finished cleaning and painting the engine in the car. The only thing I removed was the water pump. I reassembled the components and started to fill the cooling system and the water come pouring out. When I put my finger by the timing cover and the block , it seemed to stop and that is what led me to think that someone has put too long a bolt in the timing cover and punched out the blind bolt hole into the water jacket. Does that make sense?

[Dan B.]

Re: Water leak from timing cover area (1966- 327)

If it did not leak prior to your removal of the water pump, and you are reusing the same pump, check to make sure your water pump mounting gaskets did not accidentally shift when intalling the pump. I always like to use a bit of permatex on both sides of the gasket to be on the safe side. Also, are you sure you installed the bolts in the correct locations and they were properly torqued?? Some are similar in length but not the same. Dan

[R N.]

Re: Water leak from timing cover area (1966- 327)

Doug,

I had a similar problem when I did some work on a buddy's '72. Nothing leaked before I had the front apart and when I re-installed the water pump I had a leak. Some one here on the TDB suggested the seals in the water pump dried up because my water pump was off the car for a few months - had the pump rebuilt and no more problem. I don't know if that's the fix for you, but worth checking.

PS - Thank you for the excellent restoration you did on my teak steering wheel!

[Joe L.]

Re: Water leak from timing cover area (1966- 327)

The water is leaking without the engine running.I just finished cleaning and painting the engine in the car. The only thing I removed was the water pump. I reassembled the components and started to fill the cooling system and the water come pouring out. When I put my finger by the timing cover and the block , it seemed to stop and that is what led me to think that someone has put too long a bolt in the timing cover and punched out the blind bolt hole into the water jacket. Does that make sense?

Doug------


Some of the waterpump mounting bolts do go through to the water jacket. Did you use a sealer (like Loctite Pipe Thread Sealer with Teflon) on the bolts?

[Douglas G.]

Re: Water leak from timing cover area (1966- 327)

Kurt,
Thanks for the suggestion.I will do some further checking tomorrow.Today was a little disappointing for sure.
Thanks for the kind words about your Teak wheel.I know Teak wheels but water pumps are another matter.
Doug

[William P.]

Re: Water leak from timing cover area (1966- 327)

Kurt,

Thanks for the kind words about your Teak wheel.I know Teak wheels but water pumps are another matter.
Doug

If you send me a teak wheel I would be happy to send you a water pump !
Bill

[Edward J.]

Re: Water leak from timing cover area (1966- 327)

Joe is corrrect pipe thread sealant is protection agaisnt small leaks, Also are you sure the surfaces are cleaned ? Its easy to miss a small fragment of gasket, Which leads to not sealing.

[Douglas G.]

Re: Water leak from timing cover area (1966- 327)

Dan Bachrach,you are right, looks like a misaligned gasket. Haven't fixed it as yet but I am sure that is the problem since I can see the gasket protruding beyond the edge of the water pump on the side that is leaking.
William Purdy,thanks for the offer but a "gold plated water pump" for a Teak wheel is a little excessive.
Thanks for all the suggestions.Friday already feels better than Thursday.

[Jim D.]

Re: Water leak from timing cover area (1966- 327)

Some of the waterpump mounting bolts do go through to the water jacket. Did you use a sealer (like Loctite Pipe Thread Sealer with Teflon) on the bolts?

I've never seen a small block Chev. that did. They are blind holes. That's why it is imperative to use the correct length bolts or you'll get a torque reading when it bottoms out but the pump will still be loose.
I recently repaired one because the owner bought repo. "TR" bolts that were too long and he couldn't get it to stop leaking.

[Joe C.]

Re: Water leak from timing cover area (1966- 327)

I've never seen a small block Chev. that did. They are blind holes. That's why it is imperative to use the correct length bolts or you'll get a torque reading when it bottoms out but the pump will still be loose.
I recently repaired one because the owner bought repo. "TR" bolts that were too long and he couldn't get it to stop leaking.

I think that you're mistaken, Jim.

[Jim D.]

Re: Water leak from timing cover area (1966- 327)

I think that you're mistaken, Jim.

Granted, I've never seen every engine ever built but I've been working on them for over 40 years and never saw one that had water pump mounting holes that went clear through to the water jacket. I'm not saying that some don't, I've just never seen one. I have 3 in my shop right now and they all have blind holes.

[Donald A.]

Re: Water leak from timing cover area (1966- 327)

Years (many) ago I had problems with my 57 Corvette on the highway after an hour temp would go up, pull over, driver's side upper water pump bolt hole (which also was used for the front engine mount) would somehow get loose and spew water out. I'd add water, tighten the bolt and go on my way. That was a 283" of course, but SBC, and for sure that block had a water pump mounting hole into the water jacket. Just FWIW