I've got this oil leak at one of the bolts on my cam tower. Small leak, so before I dive in and remove the tower I wanted to try my luck at an alternative -- remove the old bolt and install an new bolt with some sealant on the threads.

I've got some of the orange Loctite 574 and was thinking of using this as the sealant. Will this act as a good sealant while allowing the future removal of the bolt? Or will this stuff make the bolt impossible to budge after some time?

 

Not sure about the question. What I do know is that stuff is excellent on toast.

 

574 is the flange stuff for the crankcase halves. I am not so sure it would work in the way you are suggesting. Its not even that great on toast. Bagels, however.

I don't think it will do much in that situation except make a mess. This isn't OT, so I won't go further with that comment.

 

It won't prevent bolt removal, it is definitely a sealant and not a threadlock.

 

You'll want some 545 for the threads. It may not be common or cheap but it's good to have in your garage for thread sealing.

 

Loctite 574 case sealer is anerobic sealer, meaning it dries in the absence of oxygen.
Hammer

 

It may be good on toast, have you ever tasted the red? It's like anti-freeze, kind of a sweet taste. I did ingest a small amount before removing a cap with my teeth.

 

why not try liquid teflon pipe sealant?

 

The approach is totally off the mark. There is no oil flowing inside the head. The oil may be leaking between the parts and oozing up the bolt. It's not coming from the threads.

If you've tried fixing it right already, with the surfaces perfectly clean, then take it apart and see which has the gouge or wave in it. Get a new gasket and put some gasket maker on the bad surface. Something like Permatex #1. It doesn't have to be some fancy crap. Put it on really thin and bolt down like normal.