Thread: BBC head leaking coolant

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i've got a 454 with merlin heads. i put the car on the lift yesterday to change one of the spark plug wires since i have the 2 1/8 headers. on the drivers side at the rear corner where the head and block meet is wet. are chevys known for leaking there?

the motor isn't smoking and i can't smell coolant.

any chance it's not a blow head gasket and just needs to be re-torqued?

since i don't know squat about chevys. what's a good book for me to get? i would like to get a good performance book that will tell me bolt TQ order and how to adjust the rocker for a solid cam.

since i have to pull the steering box and the headers. i was going to get new coated headers to put on. since i have power steering i was thinking of getting the 2in hooker comp's untuned headers. i've got the 2 1/8 hooker super-comp's now that are tuned. is there much of a differance between the 2 inch tuned and untuned hooker headers?

thanks for you help.

tuned headers are better than untuned..... and i would see about using a block tester to see if you might be able to retorque the heads...... its a chemical tool you use over your radiator to see if theres any carbon monoxide coming thru.... if there isn't then i would try to retorque but make sure not to loosen and do not go beyond max torque specs..... also check to see if maybe theres a freeze plug that is leaking..... could be something you're not seeing right away.... you could also try using block sealer if you pass the block test...sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.... if you do fail a block test.... replace the head gaskets and head bolts.... and check to see if maybe your heads are warped or your block while the heads are off.... use a nice nice flat piece of steel to check.... and i'm sorry but i dont have any torque specs for you... but i'm sure someone else will come along

an engine builder here told me 75 lbs for a 454

Could the intake manifold gasket be leaking just a little and trickling around the corner ? I like Hooker super comp. headers better , they always seem to breath better.