I just got my Nova back together and running(seemably strong) but I've got an aweful antifreeze leak somewhere. I'm thinking it's coming form the first water jacket on the passengers' side of the intake for some reason. It's spewing all over the pass. valve cover under WOT. I just changed the intake gaskets again(had a bad oil leak in the back) and don't want to do it again unless I know for sure. I used the right gaskets and plenty of silicone. If I squeeze on the coolant hoses, which are right there in the same viscinity, nothing comes out, but I hate to rule them out. Anyway, it there some kind of trick or tool to tell where exactly it's coming from? I don't seem to have any coolant in the oil either. Thanks for the help.

 

Isn't there a little hand pump tool thing you attach to the radiator to pressurize the system without having the engine on? Maybe you could use that...........

 

That'd be good if that exists, but it would have to put plenty of pressure on it, like it was being run wide open. Anyone else know what it is or where I can get it? Thanks.

 

that tool does infact exist, and I think you can rent them at autozone. but im not totaly sure.

as for how much pressure you have on the system. it cant exceed the pressure of the radiator cap. but that might be stuck closed somehow and be building the pressure way too high. the tool will test that also.

BTW, not sure where you put the silicone, but I havent seen an intake gasket that you should put silicone on. silicone on the end rails is fine, but either leave the intake gasket bare, or use a gasket sealer instead of silicone.

 

I've always used some type of sealant on the water ports of the lower intake. Is that not right now?

 

you can borrow the tool for free from autozone:

http://www1.autozone.com/servlet/UiB...ure_tester.jsp

I always put a thin ring of RTV around the water jackets....

 

Do you have a chrome thermostat housing? Those are famous for leaking. Were the heads or block milled? This changes the angle where the intake mates and can require the intake be machined to seal properly.

 

Yeah, chrome thermostat housing but it's the same one that's been on there and hasn't been removed. Nope on the milling.