Lead_Foot

Thanks everyone for your comments. My concern is about the bolt hole. This is my first time to breakdown a flathead chasing a pesky gas leak into the cooling system. I can see that the original V8 design is such that some of the head bolts and holes are exposed to the cooling water in both the head and block. On inspection the bolts are rusted and pitted, but they can either be cleaned up or replaced. My original question (perhaps not well worded) is about the threaded portion of the hole in the block. I will clean the threads and squirt some lubricant on them. I am asking about a more long-term prevention to further deterioration of the threads and bolt hole. Is there anything that penetrates the metal to prevent this without softening the threads? Perhaps I am over thinking this. My dad & I restored this 49 F1. I'm getting old and I plan to pass on to others in the family, so I am thinking long term. Thanks again.

Not sure if this the right place to start, but need to start somewhere. I have an old flathead that I've removed the heads. Some of the bolts where rusted and I am sure that the bolt holes/threads are rusted (several were wet with water). I've cleaned up the bolts. I will wire brush the holes and I hit with PB Blaster, but I am asking if there is a more long term solution to treat the holes/threads. Is some type of paint or phosphoric acid product possible? Since these are in the engine block they'll get hot. Thanks for any comments.

Thanks everyone. Mystery solved. "Single Bar or Hollywood Spinner hubcaps". TexRiv_63: Beautiful car. Wanna trade?

Would someone please tell me which make and year car used these caps? I have them on 50 Ford Coupe, but I cannot find any Ford parts catalogs or pictures with these caps. These are no names or numbers stamped anywhere. From what I can find the factory caps for this old shoebox ford are quite different. Thanks