So when I bought my 265, one of the things that needed to be fixed was a small crack at the bellhousing bolt that went into where the oil filter canister is. Well I thought the engine builder fixed it by welding it up (so did he) but I guess it wasn't completely fixed. I pulled the bolt today to make a bracket for my brake return spring and found it was really wet with oil on it. So basically what happened was that someone put a bolt that was too long into the bellhousing when it was put on an engine stand that by cranking down on that bolt it ended up going into the oil galley where the oil filter is. It relates to oil seeping through the threads and down the aluminum bell housing where a tiny bit puddled at the bottom. So my question is this..... since I am all hooked up and ready to drive the damn thing I would like to try some easier repairs before I pull this engine and blow it up. Anybody have any experiences they'd share or products? Currently I have gas rated Teflon tape on the bolt to see if it'll stop the leak. I've also heard, INDIAN HEAD Gasket maker as well as a Permatex Product that is used to seal hydraulic lines on big machinery. Anything else worth a try??? Fighting me every step of the way!!! Thanks.
is there a crack that needs to be sealed? or just the bolt threads? I have no idea how to fix a crack in that situation...
Cool I look into it. I'm gonna drain the oil again and squirt carb or brake cleaner in there with pipe cleaners until it comes out super clean and free of oil. The crack really needs to be sealed but if I seal the threads then the oil shouldn't be able to go any further.....I think. It's not good when the Squirrel has no clue!
I'd be super careful with any product like Permatex RTV in this case. Too much would block the oil p***age that you are trying to seal. Maybe just a schmeer of ultra black on the bolt threads?
Thanks guys! Yeah I've heard a lot of bad things about RTV clogging the oil p***ages. Keep them coming!
A 3/8 rubber bonded washer under the head of your bellhousing bolt will seal the leak along with a little ultra black or grey rtv on the threads, a very light coat. Should be able to find it at a hardware or plumbing store. Something like this: http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=33167
Indian head!! Thats what i use on the front bolt of a SBC that goes into the fuel pump drive pushrod, basically kinda the same thing your doing with that back bolt
I have always used indian head where a bolt goes into an oil galley or water jacket and never had a problem. I have also used Aviation Permatex #2 with good success. Either will dry with oil present although I may want to clean the threads to make sure that it seals well. Let us know what your results are.
You've already got the Teflon Tape. it only takes 10 secs to try it out. I've used it a lot . Just put on 3 layers on the thread, and you are done
The front bolt isn't under pressure though. I think I'd use a sealer that set hard and use a stud in that spot rather than a bolt and use a stud that had a threaded portion that was long enough to reach close to the end of the threads but not so long as to go beyond the threads while bottoming out at the top end of the threads. That way If you have to pull the bellhousing you don't have to pull that stud out. I'm with P-N-B in that I'd most likely use #2 Permatex in that spot.
Another vote for indian head...Permatex Hi-Tack is also a good one, but Indian Head has more "body" to it so it fills threads well. We just had a similar situation - machine shop "repaired" the galley hole above the oil filter on my 327 with a heli-coil. Problem is the heli-coil is for 1/2" bolt thread, so the correct pipe plug won't fit! Had to install a short bolt, flat washer and indian head to seal it up. As of today its still sealed.
Permatex 765-1128 thread sealant. Install the bolt and let it set for a day or overnight before use. Clean the threads etc, etc before installing the bolt.
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