The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Head gasket??

That figures........ I occasionally start the engine of my 46 project and run it a while. The other day I went to start it I noticed the coolant level was lower than usual. I looked for leaks, and found coolant leaking at the flex at header collector on left side, leaking out the exaust. I started it anyway and it steemed out the left side exaust. Pulled plugs and one was wet with coolant, oil level was a little high, drained some oil and looks a little milky . All signs are that of a head gasket gone bad. I just can't beleve this could happen. It's been about six years since I put motor in, maybe head gaskets go bad over time. I can't figure why the coolant ran out the exaust. Maybe the head cracked. It's a 305....I'm just frustrated....

It is possible that the head had not been re-torqued, and the bolts relaxed enough to allow the water to seep while the truck was sitting...
just a thought
Garry K

If this were mine, I'd try re-torquing the heads as Garry mentioned, then changing the oil and use water as coolant for testing. Then I'd see how it works. But it might be a good idea to actually drive the truck, rather than just start it. I've had occasions where I've started vehicles and let them run, only to come back and find out that they had overheated. Luckily, no damage done...but scary.

Btw, head gaskets aren't wear items. They should last for a long time. But if you do have a major problem, now would be a good time to ditch that 305 and go with a nice 350 or 400 smallblock.

(You may have guessed that I'm not much of a 305 fan.)

i agree try retorqueing first if it doesnt fix it you only out your time if it does you saved a few bucks

if its a305 v8 your intake may be leaking water at the ports

even if the intake were leaking water at the front cross over it shouldnt get into the cylinders it would likely go into the pan.