AntiFreeze on the Intake?

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eekvonzipper

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Went down to the Swimming Hole this afternoon...
Smelled Antifreeze when I got back, thought that was strange after a fresh Top-end.
It was sitting near one of the small 5/16" intake bolts by the Choke Assy on a 273.
I used Thread Sealant (the White stuff) on all of those bolts and Copper Coat on the Intake Gaskets.
It's been good for 3 or 4 months.
Can I pull that One bolt out, Re-Seal it and drop it back in with any success?

intake leak2.jpg


August.jpg
 
I don't see why not. I been tryin to tell yall for years that liquid teflon crap is for the birds. But nooooo. Nobody ever listens. I get glossed right over.
 
I'm not familiar with early 273 heads, but do the intake bolts actually go into the water in the heads? Later heads don't!
 
What to use instead Triple R?

I use RTV. If it's around high heat like exhaust, I use Red RTV.

I've been tellin these guys for years GM stopped using liquid teflon sealer in the early 90s because they were finding it drying out and leaking. I kept copies of the TSB for years, but I threw my book out a long time ago. They recommended cleaning off the offending sealer, replacing gaskets if necessary and using the GM silicone RTV.
 
That paticular bolt you have the arrow pointing to does not go into coolant. The leak is likely further forward.
 
I use RTV. If it's around high heat like exhaust, I use Red RTV.

I've been tellin these guys for years GM stopped using liquid teflon sealer in the early 90s because they were finding it drying out and leaking. I kept copies of the TSB for years, but I threw my book out a long time ago. They recommended cleaning off the offending sealer, replacing gaskets if necessary and using the GM silicone RTV.

Yep, Used Grey on mine and no leaks. Have used Black too and no issues.
 
If pulling that bolt and resealing it fixes the anti-freeze leak, I'll need some aspirin.
 
Yep, Used Grey on mine and no leaks. Have used Black too and no issues.

Have you ever pulled an oil pan off a Ford engine with just the Ford grey RTV holding it on with no gasket? That stuff, once cured, you can take the bolts out and throw them on the ground. I've had to use putty knives and pry bars to remove them before. That's some wicked stuff. But it does NOT leak.
 
I wonder if it's possible it's oil instead?
 
Have you ever pulled an oil pan off a Ford engine with just the Ford grey RTV holding it on with no gasket? That stuff, once cured, you can take the bolts out and throw them on the ground. I've had to use putty knives and pry bars to remove them before. That's some wicked stuff. But it does NOT leak.
Exactly a lot of those big block fords from the 80s did not leak yet the International Harvesters did
 
I think before you unbolt anything you should put some dye in the rad and bring it up to temp and see exactly where the leak is.

It might be coming from the intake manifold gasket.
 
I think before you unbolt anything you should put some dye in the rad and bring it up to temp and see exactly where the leak is.

It might be coming from the intake manifold gasket.

It could be, but not right THERE. That's next to an intake port and the exhaust cross over.
 
Start with a pressure test. Warm it up with pressure on it. Or start with hose clamps. Mine didnt start leaking until after a month of driving. Most of the clamps took 1/2 turn. Spirited driving,and coolant will pool in odd places.
 
So where is the closest coolant source?
Do the intake bolts penitrate the water jacket?

No. They go into the valve cover area. The water passages are at the very ends.
 
No. They go into the valve cover area. The water passages are at the very ends
So again where did it come from?

Pressure test, dye might show a rad leak that is spraying a small jet of coolant that ends up in that location?

I used dye on an AC leak, saved me from taking the dash out of my minivan!
 
So again where did it come from?

Pressure test, dye might show a rad leak that is spraying a small jet of coolant that ends up in that location?

I used dye on an AC leak, saved me from taking the dash out of my minivan!

I'd say it's either coming from the intake gasket or maybe the thermostat housing? Should be pretty easy to figure out. Hell, wad up some paper towels and let those tell you where the leak is originating.
 
So again where did it come from?

Pressure test, dye might show a rad leak that is spraying a small jet of coolant that ends up in that location?

I used dye on an AC leak, saved me from taking the dash out of my minivan!

Well **** if I know. I ain't there and it ain't my car. Plus, the cats knocked my crystal ball off on the floor and broke it and yall all know how tight money is with us. I ain't got a new one yet. Did you see where I said it might "not" be coolant? It could be oil. I haven't seen where he verified it 100%. Oil "right there" makes much more sense, because it could migrate up the bolts and pool right where it is.
 
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