Intake Coolant Leak

[Dusty 997]

So im running a 360 magnum with chinagap intake that has both LA and Magnum bolt pattern. Ive been running it for about 2 years without issue.

had to disassemble it all for the cam swap and now just sitting im getting coolant leaks out both front LA bolt pattern holes.

I know when i bought the intake it came with little metal plugs to block off whatever bolt pattern holes you decide not to use,

but i had threw them away because several of the holes there wasn't even a way to hammer a plug in due to how it sits on the intake.

But now looks like its a problem, does anyone know of any place that sells just those plugs? id like to avoid buying a whole intake i dont need.

 

[mygasser]

easy, thread the holes and screw plugs in to seal them. a hammered in ally plug could potentially blow out if there were enough pressure so.....
neil.

 

[remytherat]

I would just reseal the intake if I was you: if the water ports are sealing you should not get water leaking from there. Did you surround them with rtv?

I have the same intake and no leaks or plugs...

 

[Dusty 997]

I would just reseal the intake if I was you: if the water ports are sealing you should not get water leaking from there. Did you surround them with rtv?

I have the same intake and no leaks or plugs...

Yeah, i ran a bead around the whole thing and all the ports like i always have, and itndidnt leak from those holes before. Im wondering i i should have put some sealant on the threads if those front two bolts before torquing them down

 

[Dana67Dart]

Pipe thread tap

Sealer

Install pipe plugs

Done.

You could even do it from the inside so the plugs would not be visable

 

[cookietruck]

Neither of those intake bolts go into a water passage right?
Seems the gasket isn’t sealing.

 

[Professor Fate]

Those press-in caps won't do diddly squat for a coolant leak.
If you look at the bottom of the manifold, you'll see that both sets of holes originate at roughly the same spot- they just approach it from a different angle.
So what you're seeing is coolant from the base of the bolt, it's just coming out the LA bolt hole.
Yank those intake bolts and get some sealant on them.

 

[RustyRatRod]

The gasket isn't sealing. How do you know it's not leaking on the inside, too? That's the problem. You don't. I would reseal the intake, rather than take a chance on what could end up being a "band aid" fix by plugging the intake bolts holes. Just my opinion.

 

[mopowers]

I can't believe people are actually suggesting just plugging the hole. How about actually repairing the cause of the leak?

 

[Dana67Dart]

How about actually repairing the cause of the leak?

that goes without saying

 

[Bewy]

I would fix the cause, not the result. You might have coolant going into the engine....

 

[forphorty]

I don't know which intake you have but the Speedmaster intake has a very thin sealing surface between the bolt hole and the water passage. I'll post a picture of my friends intake. Doesn't inspire a lot of confidence. His has not been installed yet . Mine looks nearly as bad as his and hasn't leaked in the couple of years it's been on my motor. I think coolant leaking into the engine is not very likely but keeping it from leaking around the hole might be a pain. I like to use a little RTV around the water passage.

 

[furrystump]

I would reseal the intake. Much better than waiting to see if it milkshakes.

 

[oldkimmer]

I see your using washers under the bolt. Maybe add another washer and see if it seals up. Or get the right length bolts. Kim