Antifreeze leak...

[White70C20]

I am having an issue with the 350 in my green '70. It likes to leak coolant. It is collecting in the little valleys of the Edelbrock intake manifold up by the thermostat housing. I checked all around the housing and couldn't find anywhere it could be seeping out. I have checked the front 2 bolts on the intake manifold and they're tight. I can't figure out where it's leaking from. It doesn't seem to use much coolant, but I don't like the idea of having antifreeze sitting on top of the intake. Has anyone else had this problem with Edelbrock intakes?
Thanks!

[Longhorn 70]

First thing to do is find out where it's leaking from. There is the t-stat housing and the temp sender. AND if you have a chromed tstat housing, many times the coolant will leak between the chrome and the housing. If you have a chrome housing, look for blisters in the chrome.

Mine was doing the same thing for a while. Check to see if the bolt holes for the t-stat go through to the water jacket. One of mine did. I used a new bolt, cleaned the threads of the manifold, then put silicone sealer on the threads of the bolt. Once everything was tightened down NO MORE leak.

Best of luck

[Pflugerman]

Wouldn't say problem really. Is it leaking from the gasket or wicking up the bolts. Have you tried retorqing the bolts to see if the leak stops?

[cwilkie]

I had that problem last year. After I re torqued the bolts to specs it resolved the problem.

[michael bustamante]

If you used a used intake, it might have been warped. Rare but it could happen. Also, I second the chromed t stat housing. The dressup kit ones and auto parts store ones will leak. They warp at the base also. Summit has a good chrome one with a thick base

[sKnNyPpY]

Just did mine and had to re tighten the hose clamp from the upper radiator to the water neck. Leaned on it a little and squirt. Had to retourque intake bolts too.

[White70C20]

It doesn't appear to be leaking from the thermostat housing. What is the torque spec for the bolts on the housing? I'll check them to see if they're tight. I guess, as long as it doesn't use a whole lot of coolant, I could leave it the way it is for a while.

[sKnNyPpY]

It is only 25-35 lbs, but the order you do it in is important too, starting with the inner four bolts then working out to the four corners

[White70C20]

Isn't that the torque sequence for the intake? While that is good to know, I was wanting to know about the torque specs for the thermostat housing bolts. Thanks though!

[sKnNyPpY]

Oops sorry. I wouldn't go much more than 25 lbs. I used the two part aluminum neck with the oring and just tightened by hand with an Allen wrench till it didn't turn anymore. No leaks.

[sKnNyPpY]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=569136

[67ChevyRedneck]

Do you have a factory looking housing or a chrome one as mentioned above? If you have the chrome one order a GM unit and toss the chrome one. Mine had the same problem. I would reseal and torque it (did this a few times), it would be leaking again in 2-6 months. I replaced it with a GM unit and it hasn't leaked in over a year.