Water pump bolt and bolt leak question

[shadango]

Installing a new water pump on the fish today......same exact casting ast he one that was on it, but its a FlowKooler brand.

After it was all reassembled and we ran the engine, found a coolant leak from the water pump bolt that also holds the lower bolt hole of the alternator bracket.

The bolt is way tight......seems to be leaking from the bolt though.....

I had removed the same bolt from my old set up a few times an reinstalled and never had a leak there......

So what gives? DO I need to use some RTV or something in the bolt hole or on the threads?  It leaks fast when running and seeps now even at rest. A quick search on the web seems to indicate I do need to dope the threads or the hole with something like RTV.....but how the hell will RTV stick if there is moisture in that hole when I pull the bolt?  Wont get all the coolant out of there I am sure.....

ALSO -- the UPPER bolt seems to be ground down or maybe degraded......picture below....any ideas on that one? I am guessing its because its an OLD bolt and it is in the water jacket too maybe (though I do not recall collant coming from that one).......

Maybe time for some new stainless bolts there???

[cudabob496]

I'd use a new bolt, put some white teflon paste on the threads,
and consider using some aluma-seal stop leak in the coolant system,
which I have used to stop header bolt leaks.

But for a water pump install, I smear some blue RTV on each side of the gasket,
torque halfway, wait 6 hours, then torque all the way, then not refill for 24 hours.
Had to do that to stop a water pump gasket leak on my last install.

[cudabob496]

also, make sure bolt not bottoming out, so you can't get a good clamping force.
Sometimes bolt holes build up crud at bottom.

That bolt may be eaten away by corrosion. I installed one of these
in waterpump housing:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/flx-32060

[burdar]

Yes, you need sealant on those bolts.  They go into the water jacket...just like the end studs for the exhaust manifolds.  I would probably replace that bolt.  Technically, if there are enough threads to engage the block, the bolt is fine.

[shadango]

Thanks guys... Gonna try wrapping the bolt threads with Teflon tape.....

[Chryco Psycho]

Teflon & a light coat of silicone or liquid pipe dope is good , do not use stainless bolts , they are actually weaker & often tear up the threads in cast iron , regular gr 5 bolts are best , gr 8 if you want overkill

[shadango]

Thanks again guys.....

Wrapped 6 of the 7 bolts with teflon tape and reinstalled....did them one at a time to avoid having to pull the pump all the way off again.....

No leaks so far after warming up and running to the gas station for gas.....crossing fingers.  LOL

Reused the same bolts....they are holding fine......though I did notice that it seems like someone replaced a few of them (the two lower bolts and one on the PS side) with what appear to be chrome or stainless.....look like chrome to me but.......