does locktite go bad?

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diymirage

diymirage

HP@idle > hondaHP@redline
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hey guys
ive been dealing with two bolts which keep loosening up after a few heat cycles
(they are the bolts that hold the thermostat housing on my 351 in place)

the intake is a cast aluminum eddie, and the water neck is also aluminum but the bolts are who knows what, whatever i had laying around

last time the bolts came loose i put some blue loctite on there and sure enough, it came loose AGAIN
i put it back together with a split lockwasher under each bolt and copious amounts of more blue loctite
now, i did notice the loctite seemed thinner then i remember it should be

is loctite an emulsion that can separate?
does it go bad?

or am i using the wrong product here?

or is this just bad yuyu for buying a blue oval?
 
I've never seen it go bad.
I usually put studs in the manifold.
I have seen imposter loc-tites not work properly, in holes not PERFECTLY clean.
I use those load-spreading washers as found on slanty manifolds; they hold their torque really well.
 
AJ/FormS said:
I've never seen it go bad.
I usually put studs in the manifold.
I have seen imposter loc-tites not work properly, in holes not PERFECTLY clean.
I use those load-spreading washers as found on slanty manifolds; they hold their torque really well.
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thanks AJ
i can see if i can put studs in there, then i can put nylocs on there and call it a day IF the studs will stay put in the manifold
the loctite is the real deal, but it is several years old
i can look to see if i have a few of those slanty washers laying around, they look like cones, right?
 
Shake well. Just a dot is all you need. "Copious amount" is too much. It may have not dried.
 
Bodyperson said:
Shake well. Just a dot is all you need. "Copious amount" is too much. It may have not dried.
Click to expand...
I definitely shook it real well this time
I do not, however think I put too much on last time...but I may have this time
 
diymirage said:
I definitely shook it real well this time
I do not, however think I put too much on last time...but I may have this time
Click to expand...
Missed the part about the blue oval. Now I understand. They circled the problem. :lol:
 
Which 351? Are you sure the bolts are not bottoming out? Are the holes blind or open to coolant? If they are open to coolant then you may need to use a gasket maker on the threads. Read up on the type of Loctite you are using, they set up in different ways like in absence of oxygen, in atmosphere or with an activator. I had to redo my 460 (Yes I have a Ford and Drive a Subaru to work, both blue ovals).
 
We use it for some components we assemble, they are not bolts. Yes it goes bad and has an expiration date. I've not been around it enough to quote how to read/ decode that
 
dano said:
Which 351? Are you sure the bolts are not bottoming out? Are the holes blind or open to coolant? If they are open to coolant then you may need to use a gasket maker on the threads. Read up on the type of Loctite you are using, they set up in different ways like in absence of oxygen, in atmosphere or with an activator. I had to redo my 460 (Yes I have a Ford and Drive a Subaru to work, both blue ovals).
Click to expand...
The Windsor in my 87 bronco (plowtruck)
I verified the bolts did not bottom out without washers, so there is NO was they bottom out with them
These are blind holes, no coolant getting to them, but there may be trace amounts of "the right stuff" from when i was still trying to get a paper gasket to seal (long story, it has an O ring gasket now)
 
Thats odd that they would loosen with locking compound. I would clean out the holes,brake cleaner and compressed air and try it using the locktite gel.
Perhaps its the heat loosesning the bond.
If thats the case, go with red.

As far as studs go, then use the stud and bearing mount. It will fill the threads.

Industrial blue vs home mechanic locktite are two different products. And prices.
 
Tooljunkie said:
Thats odd that they would loosen with locking compound. I would clean out the holes,brake cleaner and compressed air and try it using the locktite gel.
Perhaps its the heat loosesning the bond.
If thats the case, go with red.

As far as studs go, then use the stud and bearing mount. It will fill the threads.

Industrial blue vs home mechanic locktite are two different products. And prices.
Click to expand...

Why not make sure you`ve got the right studs and clean the treads to perfection and J.B. WELD them in ?
 
I would try new bolts, probably aren't stretching. Went through this with a chevy water pump.As for loctite, I like the blue Permatex GEL better.
 
KnuckleDuster said:
I would try new bolts, probably aren't stretching. Went through this with a chevy water pump.As for loctite, I like the blue Permatex GEL better.
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Its good stuff, but i think its a ripoff. Dont get much in the tube.
I use threadlocker quite a bit.
I prefer the liquid.
 
What are you cleaning the bolts and bolt holes with? I know Loctite doesn't like oil.
Are the bolt holes too worn (good bolt or tap feels loose in the threads)?
"Loctite Threadlocker Blue 242 is designed for the locking and sealing of threaded fasteners which require normal disassembly with standard hand tools. The product cures when confined in the absence of air between close fitting metal surfaces."
"Loctite Threadlocker Red 271 is designed for the permanent locking and sealing of threaded fasteners. The product cures when confined in the absence of air between close fitting metal surfaces. It protects threads from rust and corrosion and prevents loosening from shock and vibration."
I think the hydraulic red Loctite can be hard on the aluminum threads for removal unless heated enough.
 
I've asked my loctite rep about the expiration dates.

Stored in the original bottle, it does not go bad. I have twenty year old bottles in the garage that would back that up.

He told me it was more for cya and to keep product moving.

I would venture that junk bolts are your issue, if the threaded hole is clean and tight
 
Ford, wh?

A054CB37-0A9A-44CF-9FE1-86C4800600E8.jpeg
 
As stated here, there are a wide array of "Loctite" products that all do different things (sealing verses locking) or do things differently (sealing and locking). While we are all familiar with "red" and "blue" Loctite, in realty there are a number of variations. My question is exactly what Loctite product are you using? I agree with the bad bolt and potentially worn threads comments.
 
Bodyperson said:
Ahh come on AJ. Go with it. Fat chicks need lovin' too.
Click to expand...
Ok then; knock yourself out.
They are no good to me whatsoever. A total drain in every way. That goes for men too.
Like how big do you need to get before the light goes off in your head that this ain't living any more?
For me it was 220. Now my weight ain't distributed in the usual way and only affects me when I bend over to tie my shoelaces. And not much, cuz I can still put both palms on the floor in front of me, without bending my knees. But ~5 years ago,at age 60, the light went on that I should probably not get any heftier. So I'm on a maintenance program,and doing very well,lol.
 
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Well, I'm the truck has been through two heat cycles and they still seem tight

If it loosens up again, I will get some studs, clean the threads with brake cleaner and install them with red locktite, and then put nylocks on there
 
I'd use this type of screw/bolt for that type of problem. "Vibration-resistant hex head screws". They have a nylon insert very similar to "nyloc" nuts, just the opposite. McMaster-Carr McMaster-Carr has these in any size you can think of.
thumbnail.jpg
 
diymirage said:
hey guys
ive been dealing with two bolts which keep loosening up after a few heat cycles
(they are the bolts that hold the thermostat housing on my 351 in place)

the intake is a cast aluminum eddie, and the water neck is also aluminum but the bolts are who knows what, whatever i had laying around

last time the bolts came loose i put some blue loctite on there and sure enough, it came loose AGAIN
i put it back together with a split lockwasher under each bolt and copious amounts of more blue loctite
now, i did notice the loctite seemed thinner then i remember it should be

is loctite an emulsion that can separate?
does it go bad?

or am i using the wrong product here?

or is this just bad yuyu for buying a blue oval?
Click to expand...
Sure it goes bad! When you can't unscrew the lid! Just kidding, I have used bottles that I have had for 7-8 years without a problem. I use it a lot on Wheel cylinder, Caliper stand, caliper bolts. Every time I had to remove them the blue Loctite had set.
 
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