Big, Big Problem…Just finished putting engine back together after doing head gaskets and have heavy coolant leak on right side, front with a light one on the other front side…a real PITA. This included new water pump, new wires and plugs plus the complete gasket set. Heads were reworked by reputable machine shop. Everything went back together well, or at least we thought so.

Problem now is determining exactly where leaking. Starting to remove accessories, then will pressurize cooling system to see exactly where leaking. Probably either the valley gasket or the heads. Before we fitted the valley gasket we sealed off the notches front and back on both sides with sealant, then placed another dab on top of the rubber seal that runs from side to side, both front and back. We didn’t run the sealant all the way across each end under the rubber end seals as I understand some do. Then we torqued down the valley gasket bolts on the sides, then finished by torquing down the one on either end, the ones holding the clamps down over the rubber end seals.

If the leaks are in the heads not sure what we’ll do? We were very careful in refitting the heads, torqued everything according to spec and used new bolts. The block deck and internals looked good.

Will appreciate any thoughts/suggestions.

Thanks
Bill

 

could very well be valley gasket. once you fix a leak you pressure weaker gaskets to fail. clean it all up, pressure that baby and see where she is pissin coolant from

 

Found out the problem! The front end freeze plug which machine shop replaced in each head are the leakers…do you believe it? I’m told there is just the front end plug in each head, not one anywhere else in the head. Can anyone confirm this? So tight in the back that can’t tell for sure if there is also a plug in the back of each head?

Planning to use a drift, or heavy screw driver, to drive through, for the removal but wondering what to use to drive a new one in? Anyone have any advice on best way to do it?

Thanks
Bill