Coolant leak

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Mar 15, 2023 | 03:23 PM

vettman

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Jul 2001

Posts: 432

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Coolant leak

Just pulled the radiator on my 1976 F350 460/C6 after noticing coolant on floor below radiator. Just got a call from my ace radiator repairman and he said the radiator does not have a leak, even at 20psi. He had it pressurized for 24 hours. Given it's not the radiator, he says it's probably the water pump. Prior to removing the radiator I tried to determine where leak was coming from. The coolant was dripping from the bottom of the center of the shroud, and the center of the back side of the radiator appeared to be wet. Now would a leaking water pump allow coolant to show up where I've described? I have a water pump on order and a new backing plate, gaskets, etc. I've done this job once before, but if it's not leaking I sure don't want to do it again. Since it's not the radiator I guess it would have to be the water pump--right?? All suggestions/comments appreciated. Thanks

Mar 15, 2023 | 05:31 PM

f5fordgirl

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Apr 2012

Posts: 1,275

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Could be a hose, and the timing cover on 429 and 460's tend to corrode through.

Mar 15, 2023 | 05:59 PM

mark a.

Lead Driver

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 8,924

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Could be any number of things. If you can't see it then your going to need a rad a psi tester. Test the cap too. Avoid dies they make a hell of a mess.

Mar 16, 2023 | 10:33 AM

beartracks

Lead Driver

Joined: Nov 2000

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From: Albuquerque

Hose clamp

Mar 17, 2023 | 08:32 PM

Ozzie H.

Laughing Gas

Joined: Nov 2013

Posts: 1,207

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From: S.E. Louisiana;so far USA

On a pressurized system sometime coolant can "squirt" to somewhere other than what's leaking. Be sure to do a good identification of what's leaking before tearing into it.