My '86 F150 5.0L needed timing cover gaskets as they've been seeping when cold for several years . Tearing it down ended up with broken water pump bolts that I'm now soaking with penetrant in hopes of not having to replace the cover. The question I have is when I reassemble it could I use anti-seize or thread sealer on at least the water pump and t/stat housing bolts to keep them from corroding like the originals? That would certainly help the next guy (which could very well be me). I've searched the forum but didn't find this question although I'm sure it's been addressed before.

 

Anti seize and thread sealer are two different products for different uses. You could use a small amount of anti seize or I just use some motor oil on the threads. HOWEVER, if the bolt enters into the coolant passage, you need to put thread sealer on the threads. I use Permatex # 2 on the threads of those bolts. Before assembling, I take all the bolts and clean them up on a wire wheel before applying anything. Try using some BP Blaster on those broken bolts.

 

I soaked the bolts overnight with PB and worked them out pretty easily after warming the housing up with my torch this morning. It looks like coolant seeped through the gaskets out into the threads so that's why I was wondering about using thread sealant, otherwise they don't go into the coolant passages themselves. I'll use anti-seize then.

Thanks for the advice!

 

Use thread locker - it's also a thread sealant AND an anti-seize agent. I prefer blue (low-strength, removable) for WP bolts. I also recommend CopperCoat on both sides of each gasket as an adhesive, and on the hose nipples.

(phone app link)

 

That's what I'll do then. There's some corrosion on the aluminum sealing surfaces but I've seen way worse on GM intakes back in the day.

Thanks!