I just got another project. A 75 dart sport with a later model "318". Guy obviously didn't know what he had because the casting numbers make it a 1989 LA 360. That would also explain the 727. Trying to get it yard running and it was dry on coolant. When I filled it with water it started pouring off the tray on the top of the timing chain cover. I assumed the bypass hose was leaking. Nope. Neither heater hose. Watched closely while pouring in water and little fountain was coming directly out of the top of the timing chain cover next to the top center short bolt. Checked and no water in the oil. As a matter of fact the oil in it is thick and sticky like there is some sort of additive in it or it is gear oil. Doesn't smell like gear oil. Anyway back to the fountain. Pic attached shows the hole best I can without tearing all the accessories off the front of the motor. This is one that I have never seen before. Is it possible that a hole corroded through the top from all the trash that was on it without getting into the back of the timing chain cover and into the oil? Long term it has to be replaced but thoughts on JB Weld to get it yard driving to move in and out of the shop until I can get a new one ordered and have the time to change it?
Timing Cover Coolant Leak I've Never Seen Before
- Thread starter tuckfxs
- Start date
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Exactly my thought when I saw what I have never seen in 40 years. So what you're saying is, "What's the worst that can happen?" Let's all find out together...lol. I always end up with the weirdest stuff happening.
As easy as the front is to tear apart, there's no way I'd chance that with JB Weld. It needs a timing cover.
I know that is the right answer. If it has corroded through that there is no telling how bad the water pump is too. I just don't want to do it...lol. Luckily there is a pull a part style yard near me that is open on Sunday mornings. I guess my services will be at the salvage yard tomorrow. The million dollar question is has anyone ever seen anything like this before? I didn't find anything in the forum search.
I've not seen anything like it. But how bad is it INSIDE? In other words, who's to say it won't corrode through on the inside and leak water right into the oil pan. JB Weld ain't fixin THAT.
A very fair point and one that can't be argued. If it is that corroded there and I plug it, the back wall is likely weak too and with my luck will be the next place the pressurized water will go. Well assuming I can get a cover at the yard tomorrow I know what I'll be doing next weekend. I have to get it movable or the wife will choke me out for buying another lawn ornament. It's either that or let her buy more chickens.
It looks to me like you have a corrosion leak in the timing cover. Is that the location?
100% that is the spot!
I bet it's a SPRAY with the engine running. lol
I bet. It's a half inch fountain just pouring water in the radiator from a gallon jug. In hindsight at the time I thought it was odd all of the bubbling and gurgling I could hear as I was filling it the first time before noticing the leak. Self burping system. Everyone should install one to help get the air out of the system.
I bet. It's a half inch fountain just pouring water in the radiator from a gallon jug. In hindsight at the time I thought it was odd all of the bubbling and gurgling I could hear as I was filling it the first time before noticing the leak. Self burping system. Everyone should install one to help get the air out of the system.
Went back out and looked at it again with this corrosion discussion and noticed that about an inch down in the heater hose nipple and the bypass hose nipple on the water pump with the flashlight and both are solid with crumbly white corrosion gunk that isn't hard packed but fills the diameter. It can be easily removed but is significant. What in the heck causes that aluminum to corrode so bad? I have run every concentration of coolant from straight water to way more than 50/50. I have used 2 quarts of CLR and water to flush really bad systems, a variety of stop leaks on the road to not get stranded, and many likely dumber things and NEVER have I EVER seen corrosion of a water pump or timing chain cover like this. What in the world could previous owners have done to this engine? If the parts on it match the 89 casting numbers on the block it had to be neglected or ruined somehow. We all have parts way older than that still in great condition.
The cover is over 50 years old, and there is no telling what any of the previous owners ran through the system. Those covers are really good about leaking, I keep at least one spare around for situations such as yours. They shop up in the "For Sale" section all of the time.
If it’s leaking up out of that spot, I don't know how it's not leaking into the timing chain area and getting into the oil.
Daves69
Well-Known Member
Is that a 3769966?
My cars OEM cover corroded through into the oil.
My dad replaced the cover and there was a pinhole in some surface corrosion behind the water pump.
The car was my dad's daily driver, (300,000 miles) he bought it new in 67, always had 50/50 or when it was new, water and inhibitor.
The leak showed up years after a rebuild but after my dad was not driving it to work daily any longer. He did drive it more than monthly. It was a garaged, So Cal car it's entire life.
My guess as to why ( no particular order):
- bad materials (uneven distribution of the pot metal mixture)
- lack of circulation
- air pocket in the coolant and/or casting
- Slightly acidic or basic water/coolant
- If left to sit for an extended amount of time outside, water can collect on the top flat and corrode inward.
- Radiator cleaning solution left in the engine too long
We will never know.
cudamark
Well-Known Member
My question is why are you even worried about it? if all you need to do is drive it in and out of a garage for a minute or two, just do it. It won't heat up enough to hurt anything even if there isn't any coolant in it at all. Do the timing cover when you're ready to work on the project.
could be, but the build up elsewhere suggests massive corrosion. We will all know once the cover is off and the OP reports back!
Well the church service at the salvage yard was enlightening. Especially when you forget your puller for the harmonic balancer 20 miles back at the house. Did you know that you can pull a harmonic balancer with the crank bolt, the two nuts from the front spindles of a 2 wheel drive D100, six fender bolts you found on the ground, a pair of vice grips, a 1 1/4" socket, and a breaker bar. I didn't either but you can. Two hours and $18 later I have my prize. New water pump, hoses, gaskets, etc. ordered at O'Reilly. Next weekend I guess I'll start tearing it apart.
Acknowledge it likely won't get too hot moving around the yard but now I'm spooked about what all is in the system with all the corrosion I can see in the heater hose necks. You might not be able to see it in the first picture but there is some significant pitting and material loss just above and adjacent to the hole. I want to seal the system up and do a really good flush before I have to walk away from it for a while and get back to another project already in progress and further along.
I appreciate the feedback on it sitting for long period without circulation possibly causing the corrosion. That certainly could be the case. I have never experienced it because I try to get them going and either move them on or rotate them into my driving at least monthly.
Acknowledge it likely won't get too hot moving around the yard but now I'm spooked about what all is in the system with all the corrosion I can see in the heater hose necks. You might not be able to see it in the first picture but there is some significant pitting and material loss just above and adjacent to the hole. I want to seal the system up and do a really good flush before I have to walk away from it for a while and get back to another project already in progress and further along.
I appreciate the feedback on it sitting for long period without circulation possibly causing the corrosion. That certainly could be the case. I have never experienced it because I try to get them going and either move them on or rotate them into my driving at least monthly.
Epoxy the hole shut and use thermocure in the system. This stuff is amazing for cleaning cooling systems. Directions say no antifreeze in system water only. So REMOVE the block plugs to drain it. It's not to hard folks, 1/2" drive six point 9/16" socket is the trick.
Summit Racing SUM-TC001 Summit Racing™ EVAPO-RUST THERMOCURE | Summit Racing
Mix one jug to 3 gallons of water, so plan from there.
Summit Racing SUM-TC001 Summit Racing™ EVAPO-RUST THERMOCURE | Summit Racing
Mix one jug to 3 gallons of water, so plan from there.
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In hindsight there is an O'Reilly about three miles down the road from the junkyard that I should have just gone to and borrowed a puller but I didn't think of that in the heat. And I dang sure wasn't leaving there without what I needed.
Love the enginuity
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