67 head bolt sealant?

[Steven B.]

Changing out the valve cover gaskets on my 327-300, I noticed a black crusty substance that would appear to be a sealant. It is only around the heads of the bolts. This engine is original to the car and has 35,000 miles on it. The previous owner had it for 20 years and only drove it about 2000 miles. That's also what I have put on it, but in the last 2 years. I think it sat cold most of the previous 20 years before I got it. Did the engine come as built with a sealant applied to the head bolts. I can't seem to find any information regarding this. I have never put sealant at the top of the bolt, only on the bottom threads where they get into the jacket. I can't imagine why the engine would have even had the heads off. There is nothing out of the ordinary and I've scoped number 2 and number 4 cylinders out of curiosity (wasn't looking for anything related- just having fun) and everything looks appropriate from a lower mileage standpoint. Any suggestions?

Steve

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[Edward J.]

Re: 67 head bolt sealant?

Steve, Try pulling one of the head bolts and looking at it I would bet you have no sealer on the bolts, the crusty stuff your seeing is anti freeze migrating up the bolt and drying, then the engine oil attachs to it,and is just making it look like sealant, if you take your finger and wipe it your feel it feels a bit crusty. Ed

[Domenic T.]

Re: 67 head bolt sealant?

Steve,
In addition to what Ed said, make sure you drain the coolant below the bolt level so you avoid draining your oil.

DOM