Hi guys. I noticed crusted coolant dripping down the bell housing and pooled up in spots below the valve cover gaskets. I did the head gaskets at about 50k with ARP head studs and didn't skimp on gaskets, lower temp thermostat, etc. From what I've read it sounds like a good possibility that it's the valley pan. I haven't had a chance to confirm with a pressure test yet. Are there any other seals other than valley pan gaskets and valve cover gaskets that I would need in the case that (fingers crossed) it is in fact the valley pan? I loose maybe a quarter of a cup of coolant every three weeks or so. It's probably been going on for a couple of months, but just noticed the pooling in the last week. Thanks for any advice.

 

Check the coolant pipe going into the front of the lower intake manifold, it has an o-ring in it.
Apparently, the coolant can run over the top of the valley pan gasket, and down the back of the block.

 

True dat. Also check the coolant temp sensor and the hose connection in the front of the lower intake.

 

That was totally the issue! I replaced the seal and soaked up the coolant underneath the pipe. No more leaking. Thanks for the tip! Much easier repair than a second round of head gaskets.

 

Great!
Glad it was a simple fix