Merc 170 water sleeve

[cfelton]

Hello, Im new here. I'v got a 1985 170 in a v20 Wellcraft that I recently rebuilt. I bought it not running and had been sitting for about 5years. I completely rebuilt it myself from the pan to the rocker cover including a rebuilt head from Clearwater Cylinder Head Co. It runs and performs great and am very satisfied with it. But I have a small reoccuring leak on the tube (water sleeve) on the front end of the 46o ford head. The cylinder head co said they installed it with permatex and it is just driven into the hole bored into the head until the shoulder on the tube bottoms out. Iv tried silicone, permatex,marine tex and recently Locktite 505 red flange sealant which held for about 6 months. Anybody got any other suggestions? Im all ears! Thanks!!

 

[cfelton]

Re: Merc 170 water sleeve

Ive removed it serveral times, cleaned it and the hole in the head very good. I swelled the end of the tube, covered it with sealant and reinstalled it only to have it start leaking again. The last time I tried it, I put Locktite 510industrial sealant on it, tapped it all the way in and put a bead of MarineTex on the outside. It held for about 6 months, now its started seeping again.I guess Ill have to try and find a new tube. It sends coolant from the head to the exhaust manifold.

 

[Don S]

Re: Merc 170 water sleeve

Have you tried a new sleeve?

 

[cfelton]

Re: Merc 170 water sleeve

No, I havent yet. Thats next on the list. Any idea whats the best sealant for this thing?

 

[abj87]

Re: Merc 170 water sleeve

This may be a last resort but you could pull the head and braze it into place. Have you tried JBweld i have heard of people using it to bock off coolant passages when doing head swaps.

 

[cfelton]

Re: Merc 170 water sleeve

Yep, tried JBweld and it didnt hold a week. I called the cylinder head co and they used permatex, I tried it but it still would'nt hold. Im hoping they didnt bore the hole too big or got it out of round. It's a press fit and with the head thickness only about 3/16 its not much sealing area.I could braze it but that will be a last resort.I guess I'll try to get another tube and give it another try. Thanks for the suggestions!!