live in south carolina, unfortunately the mechanics here, are dumb as I am. and would charge me an arm and a leg for this fix.

 

So far I don't see anything too crazy, a couple of the fixes are well within your reach. Any mechanic should be able to pressure test it for you, it's not hard. Once you find where your leak is, you can go from there.

 

IMHO - do it yourself - just rent / borrow (usually the deposit is refunded) a pressure test set at auto parts store. Pump it up. Get spray bottle with soapy water. Spray each and every hose connection - any pressure leak will make soap bubbles, or you will see coolant coming out.

As far as "dumb" SC mechanics - you might want to re-think that one - there are more Clemson graduates than you think....

 

Where in Sc are you? I know a bunch of guys around Greenville that know some good Rover mechanics. I'm in Charlotte and can give you some recommendations around here.

 

Gaffney, S.C. the closer the mechanics the better haha

 

So you don't go to the poor house over these little issues, you need to start think smart for once. A picture of a leaking oil filter, what does that tell you???
Crawl under and run some of that crap of the engine and see if it is oi or coolant. You have put more effort into taking and posting picture then laying under the truck and using some common sense.

 

I just got my truck back from the shop and they said the coolant is leaking from the rear of the heads on both banks, the repair is estimated at 2000.00. Looks like I'll be doing it myself. I was told it would be OK to drive the truck if I constantly monitor the coolant level. Any thoughts from you guys on that? Also which brand of head gaskets are best? I know they should be a composite multilayered material. Also new head bolts should be installed.

 

The larger on-line sources usually offer a kit of all required parts, and the new bolts (which are a must). Around $300. Plus while off have the heads checked by a cylinder head machine shop for flatness, and "planed" if required. They can warp.

 

i like the kit from AB it has everything you can think of, and then just get the bolts. you should also inspect the coolant hoses since you have everything torn down and a new water pump if you have not done that recently.

 

I am currently having another mechanic pressurize the coolant system with 14 or 15 psi of pressure and pinpoint the coolant leak. Are there any hoses at the rear of the heads or intake that could possibly be causing this leak? Where are the best online sites (most reputable) to buy parts as I am a bit skeptical about randomly ordering parts from ebay motors?