Who in their right mind, puts water behind that bolt on the timing cover. I put RTV on the bolt and gaket. Let it dry overnight. Turn the engine, and water is dripping from the timing cover. What do you guys do to keep that water from leaking into the timing cover area?

Are you sure its not coming from the water pump's bearing weep hole?

There is only one cover bolt that goes into the water jacket. If the cover gasket is doing its job, there won't be a problem. Are you certain you don't have a crack somewhere?

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-MattMan
LEANED & MEAN

I believe what is happening is the hole for the bolt is kind of large in front, and tighter the bolt goes in. The bolt is on tight, but I believe it is leaking from behind the pan, down to the bottom. The water exits at the bottom left hand side of the tranny pan. It is wet there with water. And dry at the bolt on the exterior of the pan. I think I may have to tap a wider hole, and get a larger bolt to fit in there.

I'm assuming you meant oil pan, not trans pan?

That hole isn't hard to get sealed. Any sealer should do if the hole is dry and clean. Run a tap or thread chaser in there to clean it out. I like to use a straw on a brake cleaner can to get the grime out then blow it out with an air hose.

The hole isn't all that deep so there may be some wobble to the bolt going in. Unless someone previously buggered up the hole by cross threading it, it's probably fine.

There are a bunch of hoses in that area along with the previously mentioned weep hole that can leak and dribble down to the oil pan. Pressure testers are your friend in this situation. If the only evidence you have is the water collecting around the pan, don't assume it's just that bolt.

Oops - senior moment. I meant timing cover pan, not tranny pan. It leaks where the timing cover pan meets the oil pan. Where you have the bolt heading towards the rear of the car, and the bolt heading to the top of the car.

Just to be clear - there is no water in that corner. If you indeed have a water leak (and not new oil that just looks like water) then it's dripping from somewhere up top. The bolt I was referring to is at the north / top side of the timing cover. The bolts in the corner you describe where the cover meets the pan does not lead to a water passage.

The bolt being pointed to is the only one going into the water jacket. I think the block is about 3/8 inch thick here. If the cover gasket is doing its job, no water should get into the timing chain area. I have never had to put sealant on this bolt, just the cover gasket.

_________________
-MattMan
LEANED & MEAN

Consider yourself lucky Badvert on not needing sealant there. The gasket will keep fluid from filling up the inner timing cover cavity, but it won't do anything for leaks coming out past the bolt head. Maybe if the washer made a perfect seal against the cover and the bolt head at the same time.

After I removed the radiator and fan belt, I noticed the water leak was coming from above that area on the hose. So since the fan belt was removed, I turned the water pump and noticed that hose was leaking on top of the timing cover. And why it appeared to be leaking at the bottom of the timing cover. Replaced that belt. Just cranked it - no leaks. Thanks guys.

I drain the cooling system, remove & clean the bolt, & the hole in the block as well as possible (sometimes I use a tiny round wire brush, followed by brake cleaner then compressed air to dry). Next comes sealer on the bolt threads & in the block- applied with a straight pick or stiff wire. I've used Teflon pipe dope or Permatex aviation form-a-gasket Part 3D.

Let the sealer set up overnight, then I use a pressure tester to check the cooling system for leaks.

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63 Valiant Wagon
225 - 4 bbl

Wow. I just put the bolt in the hole. I have never had an issue with water leaking out of that hole on any of the slants I have ever worked on or seen.