Ok, I did a search and could not find anything like this:

I have an Edelbrock 650 on an Edelbrock aluminum intake with a spacer and new gaskets. For some reason, the front of my carb and all over my manifold stays dirty, and there is a sign of something "running" down the manifold since it leaves a stain. Everytime I shut my engine off after running it for awhile, there are little puddles of something on top of the manifold where the bolts are next to the valve covers on each side. At first I thought It might be a coolant leak...but that would burn or evaporate off wouldnt it? It does not appear to be oil. Will gas evaporate off a hot manifold? I think it may be gas...but it's black in color and does not smell like gas...I know it has to be something and it's driving me crazy. But I cannot figure out where it's coming from. Any help would be appreciated.

Bryan

 

If I'm reading you correctly, it's probably oil. It seeps up around the intake manifold bolt threads and past the head, and pools in the recesses of the intake casting.

 

ok, that makes sense, so do I need new manifold gaskets to prevent this? Also, what about the staining on my manifold and constantly staying dirty no matter how much I clean it?

 

The oil isn't getting past the gasket, it's getting past the bolt threads. I put Teflon paste sealant on the bolts prior to assembly.