I just got a brand new set of Trick Flow aluminum heads for my 350.My car was at the shop and they were doing some stuff on it,and they were gonna break the cam in.The guy at the shop proceded to break in the cam and told me that the heads were leaking coolant.He went on to ask if the heads had been torqued down which I remember seeing them get torqued down when putting them on.Does anyone know what this might be?I'm getting a little frustrated,my car just goes from one problem to another.Thanks for your help

Are you using head studs? or head bolts? Studs are known to leak, some guys have ways around it but I didn't have much luck myself. If it is not leaking around the studs/bolts, where is the water coming from? Start it up an let it get warm, then pull off a valve cover and take a close look. If it is the studs you will see water droplets trickle out every so often.

Royce

Some guy putting the motor together kept going on and on about how I should only use studs not head bolts. So that is what is on there,studs. Is this leaking something I should be worried about? Is there a way to fix it? Thanks

He must have read all about it in a magazine, but i guess they left out the installation part.
If they're ARP studs try ARP's website on directions on how to install them correctly.
If not i think plenty of the guys on this site and the chevelle site have tricks for keeping them leak proof.
Personally I think head bolts are just fine in street/strip cars, especially if you ever have to take the heads off while the engine is in the car.
Only place i'll be using studs is in the mains, but thats just me http://www.camaros.net/forum/biggrin.gif

Was thread sealer used on the head studs? Head studs/bolts penetrate the water jacket on a small block Chevy.

Did they use silicone around the water passages on the block and gasket before putting the heads on? The instructions say put gaskets on dry and some people take that literally. Just a thought, but the problem is probably the studs, did they use anything on the threads that go into the water jackets? - Barry

If you pull the studs you can do them 1 at a time without having to worry about the head gasket. I'd be generous with sealant on both ends of the stud - I use the ARP thread sealer and have never had a leak with my TF's.

I used ARP head studs in a previous engine, I followed the dirrections to a T and they still leaked (not bad). If it leaks one drop it is too much for me. If I had to do it again I would use a different sealer, I used the ARP stuff (maybe mine was bad) and it wasn't a very good consistency nor was it very thick. I removed the studs one at a time and replaced them with bolts (you still need sealer on them) and that cured the problem. Pulling the heads in the car with studs is also no fun at all (driver side is a pain). Anyhow there are ways to fix your problem that aren't very costly. Reseal the studs or install bolts either should work.

Royce

Replacing/removing heads with studs installed and engine in the car is a pain, can appreciate bolts.

As been suggested, seal threads one fastener at a time. I use Permatex A200. Can be gotten at most local auto store.

Now the engine is ran and cycled through a heating/cooling process, may want to do a cylinder leakage test, after sealing studs, just to see if gaskets, etc. are leaking. Just shove in 100# of shop air into cylinder and check for leaks. Use plenty of soap on the outside. Screw in adapters on adjoining cylinders and cover the adapter ends with a balloon and see if it blows up.

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Everett "OBJECTS IN THE MIRROR DISAPPEAR UPON RAPID ACCELLERATION"

All I'm gonna say is Indianhead Gasket Cement! A little "daud" will do ya....

It's old-fashioned and shade-tree but works great! Imho... pdq67

I'll probably stop by the shop and see what places they are leaking from. All the head studs had the ARP sealant that comes with them put on before they were put in,maybe it is leaking from the head bolts possibly,even though I know those were torqued,does this sound possible?

could be a head bolt or stud leakage or could be the head gasket/deck. Chevy blocks are known to crack from head bolt hole to bore at times...
Your heads might have a casting porosity problem and the leak is coming right through the head casting... It's not unheard of.
You can pressurize the radiator with a hand pump tester to check for leaks.
David

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