My Anti-Freeze is Leaking

[Stallion]

Re: I found my leak

As I surmised,I had antifreeze pushing up through a cracked intake gasket back at #8 cylinder. You could actually see the cut or crack in the gasket. Pulled the manifold last night along with emission pump and hoses. I am going to store them(emission stuff) in a box in case for some reason I ever want (or need) to return to stock condition.
That really frees up a lot space in front of the engine! I am going to drop my manifold off at my freinds shop so he can bead blast it for me.
TR - looks like you'll be under taking the same project I am working on. I am glad you pin-pointed your problem. if I can help,let me know.

Here is a picture of where the leak was.

Dave

Yes, if torquing the bolts to spec doesn't work and it is my intake gasket, then I'll also need to take off the intake manifold to replace the gasket.

How hard was it to get off the intake manifold? A one man job? I think the intake manifold (on my L48) is cast iron. Did you have to take the carb off of it to get it out? And looking in, it seems to get at the back intake bolts I might need to take the distributor out. Is this necessary?

Thanks!

 

[Dave L.]

Intake removal

TR - If indeed you need to pull the intake its not a big deal at all.
In a nutshell....... disconnect battery..drain radiator..remove upper rad hose..disconnect and mark all vacum hoses..pull off the distributor cap and mark the location of the rotor..remove distr. clamp and pull out the distributor..remove carb feed line and brake booster vacum pipe(at the back of the carb)..remove carb linkage..remove the carb(it makes it easier to get at those 4 center bolts on the manifold)..remove intake. One person job until you lift off the intake.I'd have a helper with a cast iron manifold so as not to drop it on your car!
I work slow and it took me about 2.5 hours to get it off.

Dave

 

[Stallion]

Okay, it sounds like something I can manage myself (until I get to actually lifting off the intake manifold). BURGLAR, where are you getting your replacement gasket for the intake anyways? I can't imagine that it costs too much, but where are you buying it from?

And I might as well drain out all of the coolant and just replace it (50/50 water/anti-freeze ratio what I want?) with new coolant while I'm in the there.

Thanks!

 

[Stingray6974]

TR,
Use Fel-pro gaskets only. Do not use the rubber end gaskets in the box.

Mike

 

[Dave L.]

Edelbrock 2101

I have decided to change over to the 2101 Edelbrock. Summit has one for $114. I ordered it today. I am going to use my GM gaskets #10147994 and toss the end pieces and use sealant like Mike says. It should be good for a few extra horses!

Dave

 

[JonM]

You can usually buy FelPro at most auto parts stores. 50/50 is perfect...Make sure you don't let any of your pets drink it...its sweet and if they drink it, you will see them with paws up.

Okay, it sounds like something I can manage myself (until I get to actually lifting off the intake manifold). BURGLAR, where are you getting your replacement gasket for the intake anyways? I can't imagine that it costs too much, but where are you buying it from?

And I might as well drain out all of the coolant and just replace it (50/50 water/anti-freeze ratio what I want?) with new coolant while I'm in the there.

Thanks!

 

[Stallion]

Okay, I'll go with the Fel-Pro intake manifold gaskets. So you're going for a whole new intake, BURGLAR? What makes it give more power? Is it aluminum or something? Better airflow?

As for the anti-freeze, what brand do you guys use? Anything special we should be putting in our Corvettes?

Thanks!

 

[Dave L.]

Stallion - you hit the nail on the head,better air flow. I was just going to clean up the original aluminum intake,but I spoke with my buddy who is a vette mechanic today and he suggested I go with the 2101. He has put several of these on otherwise stock condition cars with impressive results. So,for $115 I figure its a relatively cheap upgrade. I usually buy Prestone or what ever brand name antifreeze that is on sale at AutoZone.

Dave

 

[WayneLBurnham]

If you are worried about your pets or allergic to antifreeze

(The latter I JUST discovered!)

There is a less toxic product based on propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol. Prestone makes one version. Another is sold under the name "Sierra." A can of "Water Wetter" or a similar coolant wetting agent is also a good idea, but I have had that find leaks for me I didn't have before.

I don't think the propylene glycol products cool as well, but I've put down the last stray animal I care to from staggering around drunk-like and blind waiting to die because some car of mine leaked coolant. I also got a terrible set of cold like symptoms that days later turned into a cold from breathing lots of antifreeze vapors form a recent heater core leak.

There is a new coolant out many of us have asked for for years - a non-water based coolant. I believe it's under the name brand Evans and it's mainly anhydrous propylene glycol with some other ingredients. It runs in a special low pressure cooling system up to 375 degrees.

I intend to try this sometime, but it requires several main system changes and is not for a casual change.