1986 Ford 302 EFI Custom Cab Van...its been overheating for part of last year, although not as high as pegging the H mark except for one time, due to my mistake. (I loosen the radiator cap to see if it would cool down more thinking it was the radiator cap...and it wasn't that part that was causing the problem) SO after letting it cool down (it knocked a few soft times before I got it turned off)
After getting water from a ditch and letting it cool down first, I proceeded very carefully the 20 miles home.. and getting a closer look afterwards I noticed a small puddle on top of the water pump, now I'm thinking the water is coming from the thermostat gasket, so I replaced that along with the thermostat, after finally getting it off (Ford did have a better idea of making just two bolts hard to get to, and I would have to think twice about trying to take that apart again)
Now that that's done, noticed it was STILL leaking somewhere in that area, so
in goes the stop leak crap...long story a little shorter...that cost me a radiator, so I replaced all the hoses while that was done.
Still leaking above the water pump (not the weep hole) after finally drying and cleaning the area more better, I notice it's coming from the gasket that the water pump connects to the block...so in goes the engine sealant treatment that costs 30.00 something made for antifreeze. (only one brand makes it for that price, and they are proud of it has they claim)
It does work (stopped the leak) but it comes back as a trickle now that another can won't stop it anymore...
It has been burp so many times that there just isn't any air in that system...but the temp gage still rises an falls but not as near as it was before (it was going over the half way mark and staying near the end of the A (N O R M A L)...now it just goes up and down between the R and the M.
SO now I'm thinking the propeller is free spinning inside the water pump at times as if I'm going a constant speed, the temp will rise to the M and stay there as long as I am going the same speed, after slowing down and staying there for a while, the temp needle stays at the R.
There is a small droplets around the area of the water pump gasket, but it's just going to have to come apart and be replaced with a new waterpump very soon...
SO now you know that small leaks can lead to bigger problems....so don't ignore them if you got one.

 

Another thing to be careful of...if it's leaking at the timing chain cover on the outside....it could also be leaking on the inside. Which mean you are then putting water in your oil pan.

 

"Ford did think of a better way to make just 2 bolts hard to get to, and I would have to think twice about doing that again." O.K......somebody just shoot me. Audie...the Oldfart..

 

Thanks Kevin for that insight, I was aware of the situation there and have been closing keeping a eye on the dipstick dued to this fact...and so far it's only leakin in the top area on the waterpump...but the next step is the replacement of it for sure.

 

and oh boy isn't that a joy!!! not the greatest design on the front of these fords having to pull the harmonic balencer and the entire front of the motor off to replace this. And of course once your in there....what else do you find. When I did mine, I found the timing chain pretty loose with a couple of the plastic teeth broke off....so new timing chain set at the same time.

 

Those two bolts looks easy to take off, but dues to all the stuff in from of it and the close metal to metal small area to work in, Ford had the bright light on when they designed a simple procedure of a part to be remove such as this one to be done with "special tools' After seeing all those late commericals about Ford has a better idea, yea I can agree with that light bulb getting shattered into tiny bits in the future.

 

An 86' should have a fan clutch too. I'd check that while you're in there, if not get a new clutch while you're at it.

The water pump on a 300 is easy. Remove the belt, fan clutch, pulley, then the bolts to the block. No worries about getting water in the oil.

Just another reason I like the big-6

 

It is most certainly leaking near the top corner on the left near the water heater side upwards against the block...a small leak that plays a big part in overheating.
I brought the waterpump today, now I'll have to get the timing chain cover gasket and the seal for the harmonic balancer..I watch a video on u toot about somebody replacing the exact seal, he had air wrenches to work with and a covered area to work in...something I don't have the luxury of..and there is alot to remove just to replace that one gasket. I might as well as get a timing chain also while I'm in there, and another oil change afterwards...

Are all these 302's leak in this spot alot? I sure do see alot of replies on it when I done a search about this subject....

 

That's right where my 460 was leaking...same design as the sbf's

 

You will also need a fuel pump gasket. I bought a timing cover gasket set and it came with everything I needed

 

Well..mine is an EFI...so it doesn't have a fuel pump on the outside on the block...but on another note, it's not leaking now, temp is on the R and everything is running smooth as silk.

I noticed that on the radiator cap outlet, there's a tube that is running to a jug of antifreeze, but it's not factory installed..and the radiator is full to the cap when it's taken off...this is supposed to be an open system, not an closed system....so I removed the jug an lowered the antifreeze in the radiator to just below the tubes inside...an burp it (let air out) for a few days...leak has stop and pressure has become more "Normal" on the temp gage...interesting.

 

I worked on a 91 FSB, and thought it was just a water pump. Got it all apart and realized that it had a cracked front timing cover. Pain in the rear, and I ended up doing an oil pan gasket on it, due to leaking oil when i was done. Not fun.

But it had coolant in the same area as you describe. The good news is- if you do need the front cover, it is available through the Dorman line.

Good luck.