Hey all,

Studs are leaking water. I have a stud kit and used ARP's Thread Sealer per the instructions. Further, I have about 30 minutes of run time on the engine. What I did:

I chased the block threads before installing studs
Cleaned studs
Used copious amounts of the ARP Thread Sealer
Put studs in finger tight

What is going on? I have 2 that are confirmed leaking next to each other on the outside of the valve cover drivers side cylinder 1. I am scared but will look inside the valve covers for indications of water leakage.

What did I do wrong and how do I correct it?

 

The ARP thread sealant is probably your problem.

 

For those doing a search in the future what would you recomend using instead. Heavy duty RTV?

 

Step one is to throw that ARP sealant crap in the garbage, step two is to buy Permatex #2 non-hardening thread sealant.

 

Permatex #80632 worked great for me.
Dont use too much on the bolts, just a dab on the threads.

 

I have used ARP thread sealant several times without any problem but I don't use studs I use bolts. I thought it was pretty good stuff.

 

Do not use RTV to seal threads in the cooling system. Chunks of RTV can cause clogs.

 

Since we are talking about ARP sealant. I noticed today that I had some sealant pushed out under the head gasket, next to some of the lower bolts on both sides. (I have not started the motor yet as it is still on the stand) Is this going to pose a seal problem with the head gasket?

 

Use radiator stop leak that will solve your problem. Next time wrap the threads with Teflon tape. Good luck.

 

You may have been a little overly enthusiastic when applying the thread sealant. This is NOT one of those times when "if a little is good, them more is better and too much is just about right!" Some of the "copious" excess has probably compromised the head gasket seal in the area of one or more water jacket passages. It you pull the head off you'll easily identify the problem area by the marks left by the sealant squeezed out around the stud holes. You may be able to seal it up with Stop Leak. If it were mine it would leak from now until eternity. Good luck.

 

I did not use the ARP sealant on my head bolts based on what I had seen posted about it. I did use it on my rocker studs (ported heads) and it leaked there so I would imagine that its the source of your problem.

From what I have read use the GM sealant or Permatex #2.

 

I had to replace the head gaskets initially, because I got oil on them, and didnt think about the arp doing this. I really hate to pull the heads back off again, and dont want to buy gaskets for a 3rd time really, unless forced.

Its funny I never read one thing about this happening to anybody.(through books and countless forum hours) I didnt go into the deal with the mindset that more is better, but just wanted to make sure that I had no seepage problems. Now it looks like I am shooting myself in the foot.

 

thats what i ended up doing
(side note sorry about the crossover pipe gaskets alexs lmao)

 

Well I dont need stop leak yet, as the motor has not been run, just wondering if this is going to be a likely problem. I guess there is only one way to find out if it is going to leak. It sucks I never saw all this info when I was putting the heads on the 2nd time.



And to the OP, studs are known for leaking with the LT1 it seems.

 

im curious if when people are installing them finger tight if they are making sure the shoulder of the stud is fully seated. i know when i put mine in i noticed some didnt go alway the down. used a hex key and tightened them till they were fully seated. it didnt take any true force so i doubt the threads have much preload. the instructions say no more than 10 ft/lbs to install studs. havent cranked mine yet but im simply curious. cant see why a stud would leak and a bolt not. this is my only idea as to why studs arent sealing other than poor thread sealant.