Detailed the engine compartment, got her all dressed and unable to go. Rebuilt a 70 torino 302 3 yrs. ago and has been stored since. Primed and rotated on fairly regular basis. The engine ran great before rebuild. Only change, replaced the stock intake manifold with an edlebrook. Went to fill the radiator and water started running from back of the block, appears between block and intake manifold. Checked and no water is getting into the oil. Checked water inlet and could not find trace of water running down channel between intake and heads. Seems leak is coming from back of engine. The freeze plugs along sides and back look okay. Torqued intake according to specs. It is only on the drivers side. Should i assume the problem is with the head. The heads were installed with the rebuilt.

Anyhow, any input, suggestions would be appreciated.

thank you,
dave

 

I had a similar problem with 68 heads and a Edelbrock intake . If you look on the back of the manifold the openings for coolant flow from heads to manifold aren't the same size or exact location and if the gaskets aren't just right and maybe some good silicone it will leak.

 

Appreciate the input. Will pull the intake tomorrow and take a look. Intend to replace the gasket, if recall was not comfortable with the gasket set when i initially assembled.
Had an extra gasket set, Fel Pro, understand they make quality gaskets.

thanx

 

I just had the EXACT Same problem with my 351w.

Took off the intake Manifold to replace the lifters, then re-assembled with a new Felpro intake Manifold Gasket.

After three attempts, still had a water leak out the back passenger side of engine.

The Felpro gasket set comes with the two gaskets that go between the intake manifold and the heads, and two Cork pieces for the top of the block.

Especially on older engines, the Cork will not compress enough to let the manifold seat properly on the heads.

Put a bead of RTV around the water passages on the heads and manifold and use the two gaskets for the sides.

Then Put a 1/4" bead of RTV where the Cork Gaskets are supposed to go... DO NOT USE THE CORK GASKETS.

The manifold will now seat all the way and the leak will be gone.

 

Could not let it set. Late last night went and changed gasket and reassembled. Carefull in matching gasket to joining surfaces as post instructed. Waited till this a. m. to allow gasket to set. Read your post this morning SFDavid and thought, if only i had waited. Anyhow, felt relieved, even if had to do over, that it may be labor intensive but that it is not a serious or major engine problem. Anyhow, put water in this a.m. there are currently no leaks other than drip coming from impeller hole on water pump. If it should leak from the intake/head area again, i will know to get those cork end pieces the heck out of there. Intend to make a parts run for water pump tomorrow.

Thanx again, really helpful
dave

 

OK, great.

Just keep an eye on it. The second time I did mine, I sealed it all well with RTV and it held water when I filled it. I warmed it up and drove it around a little bit. Looked fine. then I parked it in the driveway to admire my work and after a few minutes, it started dripping on the driveway.

At that point, I threw a temper tantrum and went to bed.

Wasn't till the next day I read a post in the net about the cork gaskets.

Hopefully, even if it happens again, I'll save you the temper tantrum since you already know what to do.

 

Have vented on an occasion or two, now will know what to do. Again thanks for the info. and the heads-up.

dave

 

even Ford mechanics DON'T use the end gaskets instead they use a bead of silicone and if it's done quickly before the silicone skins over it never fails.

 

Almost tempted to pull end pieces now rather than wait for the inevitable. Currently no leaks, should i have to replace water pump will take out those cork gaskets.

 

I wouldn't take them out if it doesn't leak by now it probably wont.

 

Thanks for the words of advice. After posting last comment got to thinking, why do i want to redo it if aint broken. It will be few week before i can get the truck on the road, in meantime, will give it numerous test runs in garage before it hits the road.