[devin14]

I removed my cylinder heads today and when I removed the bottom bolts, next to the spark plugs, coolant poured out. What does this mean? Is it just the old gasket? Were the bolts supposed to have sealant on them? I hope nothing is wrong with the heads?

Thanks for your help guys!

 

[JWagner]

Those are "wet" bolt holes and yes, the bolts require a sealant to be applied to the threads.

 

[devin14]

So is there supposed to be coolant in there?

 

[Tom Mobley]

yes. Chevy V-8s have the head bolts holes in the block going through to water jacket. Normal since 1955. That's why you're supposed to use sealant on the threads at assembly.

 

[devin14]

Got it. Thanks!

 

[novaderrik]

those short head bolts are actually lower than the level of the water pump holes, so even if you drain all the coolant out of the radiator you will get coolant out of the first head bolt hole you take out on each side. the only way to avoid this is the pull the drain plugs on each side of the block down by the oil pan.