head gasket leak?

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06-25-2007, 04:18 PM
sanpedro

head gasket leak?

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
06-25-2007, 04:37 PM
erik erikson

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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??
06-25-2007, 05:15 PM
sanpedro

no none of those things, no bubbles in the radiator either. The car runs good
06-25-2007, 05:30 PM
R Pope

Try torquing the bolts. The trouble with small leaks is, they get big without any warning. Probably require a new gasket.
06-25-2007, 05:46 PM
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
06-26-2007, 07:55 AM
sanpedro

thanks for your input!

Anybody else want to put their 2 cents in?
06-26-2007, 08:09 AM
NTFDAY

Are you sure it's the head and not a freeze plug?
06-26-2007, 10:56 AM
Racecar100

I suggest to resurface the heads to stop the leak.