365 GT4 2+2 under resto

Probably leaking from or around the hex aluminium plugs. The casting towards plug hole is very thin and can crack,causing fluid to leak. The cracks are thin and hard to see but they are there.

I tried using some plumbers tape on the threads but the plug is not long enough to reach the crack. To much tape and the crack will expand,not ideal. Next step will be some good leak sealant product,although I will happily go around this if there's another better solution.

Maybe some longer hex plugs are available in either aluminium or brass ?

 

Mine is leaking into plug hole 8. The allen key headed plug is between cyl. 8/9,but leaning more to the nr.8. Therefore water seeps into this one. The head of the plug is flush with the engine head and is about 12mm diameter.

There are several of these plugs and they can all leak. All of mine has been out at an earlier occasion and put back with some sealant. It is obvious that the have been a problem.

Mind you,my car is a carb 400 GT but I see no reason why it should be any different on the earlier GT4.

 

Hi Robert,

I hope it is an easy fix. I just had a look at my cars (400i) & took a couple of pictures of the plugs - they are down next to the sparkplugs.

Cheers,
Al
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Thanks for the pictures Al

Robert,as you see the casting between plug and spark plug hole is very thin. I suspect my plugs has been tightened to hard at some point,and as they are tapered they will crack the thin wall.

 

Guess what, I have chassis 17363 and gave it a run today and it has developed the same problem. I mopped out the coolant around the plug and gave the car a good blast at up to 100mph, no more coolant appeared. Clearly we need to get our heads together on this one !!! I wonder if other 365 models are affected ? I tried a search but nothing popped up.

I also have acquired a Voxson stereo 8 which works beautifully. Interestingly I have a Radiomobile that is identical (says Voxson on the case !) so clearly Voxson sold them to Radiomobile. I am now enjoying re-aquiring all my old 8 tracks from e-bay, particularily Sammy Davis Jnr, as apparently he had one of our cars !

 

I have 6 carbys,4 overhead cams and 4 exhaust pipes.

I do not know how to turn on MY Voxson 'cos I'm VEEERRY happy listening to the above's music....

 

Update on that coolant leak. Recently took my car (17363) out of storage to start re-commissioning. On starting up I rapidly realised there was a major leak of coolant which was coming from the heater control valve. Sourced a replacement and fitted with a fair amount of dexterity required !! I then carried out a pressure check and found that above 10psi there was a tiny leak of coolant as near number 8 plug as discussed above, it was just like a bead of perspiration . On closer inspection there is a minuscule hair line crack about 15mm away from the hex plug. I decided to try "K seal" which I know from past experience to be a permanent solution to such problems and hey presto it fixed the problem !!! Sadly I should have photographed it before the fix.


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Mine has the green tint on top. I am in touch with the original owner ( who was only 25 when he bought the car in 1973) so I'll see if he can remember how it was then.


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Beautiful colour Rob, it will be fantastic to see it on the road.