From the information I gathered by searching this topic, I went out and bought some radiator sealer called AlumaSeal. I used two bottles of it. It helped some, but the head studs are still leaking. I'm stumped. When I ran ARP head bolts, I always used a white Permatex thread sealant and never had any problems. I forget the exact name, but it's not RTV, it's the stuff that has teflon in it.

For that reason, I'm considering downgrading to headbolts again, but think that might not be a good idea since I plan on putting 300 hp of nitrous through the motor. Someone suggested that when running studs, to coat the threads with RTV.

I'm open to all suggestions. I'm just sick of this thing leaking.

 

I think this is the stuff I used and have always used successfully with head bolts:

http://permatex.carshopinc.com/produ...id/42282/80631

 

If you can identify which are leaking, pull em one at a time and re-go0p them. Maybe oil got on them and the sealant didn't take. I had to do that once. The block needs to be dry to help re-do this. So yea, drain the coolant from the block, (knock sensors). I LOVE head studs. I use them weather the engine needs it or not.
Also, maybe you didn't put the sealant on the top 4 studs since they go into blind holes? My mistake in doing that. Must be some small cracks in those bolt holes because my studs leaked there too. Goop those studs too.

I found which were leaking by just running my electric water pump and looking at the red colored waterwetter seeping out.

hth
Karl Ellwein

 

should you clean off the old goop before putting on the new goop? Any what are the tq spec's for arp studs?
-b

 

I always clean off the threads with a pick, brake clean them and I use Permatex BLACK RTV, never a leak with bolts or studs on other motors, maybe the white is the liquid teflon sealant

 

I bought some GM cooling system "tablets". Apparently you can get them at the parts department, and they seem to work very well. I did put them in at the same time I put some radiator stop leak in there too

 

I just found out that I have a leak on my passenger side cylinder head. It is a very small leak but I won't know the extent of it until tonight. What do the tablets do that you can buy from the GM parts department? Are they just for cooling system leaks or could I try to use something like that if I have a leaky head gasket or something else?

 

The toqure specs are 70ft lbs with the grey ARP Assem lube( use liberally).
Tighten them from the center out starting at 40ft lbs and increasing 10 ft lbs till you reach 70.

 

The GM cooling system tablets are used to stop leaks and seapage.

 

I had ARP regualr head bolts, 25,45,65, BLACK rtv

 

Thanks Tennessee, I'll talk to the mechanic tonight when I pick the car up to get the extent of it and then call the dealer tomorrow to pick some of these up if that is a viable option.

 

No. Its 70 ft lbs for iron heads. For aluminum heads its 65 when using arp moly lube. Im looking at the install instructions now

 

Josh, is that for the stud or the nut?
-b

 

....

 

I called ARP....they quoted me 80 lbs when using 30W oil.