340 Coolant leak front of left head. Bad head gasket?

Posted By: 68cuda27

340 Coolant leak front of left head. Bad head gasket? - 09/19/10 07:31 PM

Noticed a coolant leak at the base of my 340 left side head. Pressure testing the radiator showed the same leak. Any suggestions on the best process for pulling the left head off a '68 Barracuda with the high performance exhaust manifold with power brakes and power steering? Can I leave the manifold on the exhaust or do I need to drop the exhaust?
Thanks

Posted By: 1Fast340

Re: 340 Coolant leak front of left head. Bad head gasket? - 09/19/10 07:49 PM

depends alitle if the manifolds are using studs or bolts in the ends i would think... sure its not just a coreplugg in the end of the heads or the front ataching stud to the manifold?

Posted By: 68cuda27

Re: 340 Coolant leak front of left head. Bad head gasket? - 09/19/10 08:05 PM

I do have studs on the head for the exhaust manifold, and the core plug is not leaking. I leaks out the base of the head.

Posted By: 1Fast340

Re: 340 Coolant leak front of left head. Bad head gasket? - 09/19/10 09:00 PM

Quote:

I do have studs on the head for the exhaust manifold, and the core plug is not leaking. I leaks out the base of the head.

the studs can make it alitle harder to get the heads of with the exhaust still there, i have not tried this mysels since everything i own has headers

Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: 340 Coolant leak front of left head. Bad head gasket? - 09/20/10 02:14 AM

might have studs on the front/rear ex port holes and bolts on the rest. Will need to split the ex pipe and take off the inside bolts/washers and the nuts/washers off of the front and rear stud then remove the ex manifold. (dont forget to drain the coolant down a bit). If the ex man cannot be totally removed WO r&r ing the ps box then see if it can be moved over enough for you to R&R the head. EDIT the front and rear bolt holes (only) are wet (SB)

Posted By: gtx6970

Re: 340 Coolant leak front of left head. Bad head gasket? - 09/20/10 02:23 AM

It's not worth the hassle to fight it. been there-done that

drop the head pipe and pull the manifold off the car and get it out of the way

Posted By: scratchnfotraction

Re: 340 Coolant leak front of left head. Bad head gasket? - 09/20/10 02:30 AM

I would double check it myself

i have had the t-cover gasket leak right by the base of the head

also have had the intake gasket leak right in the corner where the head/block/intake meet

just make sure its the head gasket before pulling the head,make sure the water is not traveling to the gasket line from else where