head gasket leak?

[sanpedro]

I have a 80 z 28 that seems to have coolant leaking down the side of the block. It is a 350 SBC with about 2K miles on it. the leak is very minor. It is coming from the around the center of the head/block side area where the two exhaust ports are for the headers.

The car runs well. Should I try torquing down the head bolts? What damage will it do if I leave it the way it is for now?

Thanks
sanpedro

[erik erikson]

I have a 80 z 28 that seems to have coolant leaking down the side of the block. It is a 350 SBC with about 2K miles on it. the leak is very minor. It is coming from the around the center of the head/block side area where the two exhaust ports are for the headers.

The car runs well. Should I try torquing down the head bolts? What damage will it do if I leave it the way it is for now?

Thanks
sanpedro

Do you have oil in the ant-freeze or does you oil look carmel in color,does it puff white steam all the time out the exhaust??

[sanpedro]

no none of those things, no bubbles in the radiator either. The car runs good

[R Pope]

Try torquing the bolts. The trouble with small leaks is, they get big without any warning. Probably require a new gasket.

[sanpedro]

I will give it a shot but most likely I thnk I will need to replace the head gasket. Just really dont want to mess with it now. Thats life

[sanpedro]

thanks for your input!

Anybody else want to put their 2 cents in?

[NTFDAY]

Are you sure it's the head and not a freeze plug?

[Racecar100]

I suggest to resurface the heads to stop the leak.