351w water pump bolt

[efnfast]

On a 351w water pump, there is that looooong bolt that goes through a water passage.

Can that bolt be removed and re-sealed without draining the coolant, or will it come pouring out when the bolt is removed?

When I last did my waterpump the bolt was a bit rusty and I meant to change it but forgot, now trying to figure out if I can just pull/seal the bolt, or better to wait for when I do a coolant flush?

[ggunter]

From what I can remember, I'm pretty sure that is a blind hole and should not leak when removed, however you know it goes all the way through the water pump and the timing cover. If it has been weeping it is possible the timing cover to block gasket is leaking. Which will require removal of everything on the front of the motor to reseal.

[Bob Cowan]

IIRC, it does go into the water pathway. That's why it gets rusty in the middle. If you pull it out, coolant will leak out.

[efnfast]

IIRC, it does go into the water pathway. That's why it gets rusty in the middle. If you pull it out, coolant will leak out.

Yea, that's why I was hoping to figure out if it would just drip for 2 or 3 seconds and that's it (i.e., minimal loss), or expect a steady stream and I'll wish I just dumped the coolant to begin with

[Bob Cowan]

It's the later.

[ggunter]

I have a spare 351 blocked engine and took the long bolt from the drivers side of the water pump and checked to see if it was open or blind. I checked with air pressure and it held it. It is definitely blind on this engine. I also checked the passenger side lower w/ pump bolt and it is open. Go figure. Maybe some years are open and some are closed.