Hey all,
I've sprung a coolant leak on the backside of the motor. My question is, has anyone ever had a head gasket leak from the back of the head? I pulled my intake off, and that back corner of the gasket was wet but I can't tell if that's from me pulling the intake off or from the actual leak. It only leaks when it's running, and it's a constant drip down the back passenger side of the motor. It's not burning any water from what I can tell, just seaping down that side. Which makes me think it's the intake gasket not the head. I went ahead and ordered new vortec intake gaskets just in case, but I really don't want to pull my head if it's not needed. The combination of crappy header bolts and tight clearences with the AC, it would be murder.
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

Well i havnt personally experianced it and as crappy as it may be how much worse would it be to get the car to gether and still have a leak. So ide say if theres a question change them. If you were really determined to check to know for sure ide try a compression test and maby somehow you could block off the intake coolent ports and pressure test it with the intake still off. Although concidering how far down you are its probably worth just changing them anyways and be done with it. I mean it cant hurt right and if there old it might save you a big headach in the future.

 

I am having the same problem with my Fast Burn heads. I used the Stock Vortec reusable plastic and rubber O-ring intake manifold gaskets and it did not seal in on the rear two coolant passages on the intake. So after I tore it down I replaced it with the Fel-Pro 1255 gasket, and made sure I used a good amount of RTV to seal everything. Well this morning when I got everything straighten out it is still leaking down the back side of the block and down the side of the transmission.

I am at my wits end trying to figure out what is going on here.

Have so any luck with your original problem??

Kevin

 

I stuck with GM Performance gaskets, but I added some extra Right Stuff to the coolant passages. Seemed to work alot better. Also, I made sure not to over torque the intake bolts with those gaskets. They are only 11in/lbs for the Vortec's. I think it solved my problem. I might have a slight head gasket seapage though but I retorqued those bolts just to make sure they were tight also. If your sure it's the intake then my suggestion is to run Right Stuff down the front and back ridges pretty thick. And continue the bead up to the coolant passage. Then smear it around the passage all the way on both sides of the gasket.

 

I had a stock 305 w/stock heads that leaked from the rear of the head. It is possible. If your not sure that the leak is on the rear of the motor check the hoses to the heater core. I agree with Rolling Thunder, your already half way there , why not replace them anyway. If you have that little confidence in your head bolts anyhow, it can't hurt to replace those while your at it.