Thread: hi rev water leak need help

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Need help from the rest of the SBC gurues..

I have a 82 elky w/ a slightly modified 302

Recently changed carbs ( no probs) and was out on the shake down drive...
took engine to about 5500 rpms..ran out ok...but when i arrived back to the shop I noticed watrer underneath....took a look and found that one of the waterpump to block gaskets had started leaking...

So here is the question...how much pressure i is there in the cooling system at 4500-5500 rpm??

standard cooling system ..stock thermostat..no modifications to cooling system
new 3 core radiator installed 2yrs ago at overhaul...never a problem with cooling system prior to this..

Just an observation concerning water systems in general. I used to work at the Ford Assembly Plant in Claycomo Missouri. My job in the body shop was adjacent to the final line where the radiators were installed. Line work was monotonous, so I did whatever it took to keep my mind occupied. I used to watch the guy putting radiators in over on final and noticed that he always dropped two pellets into each radiator. This was before the fluids were put in. They were stop leak pellets. After that time I never felt bad about using stop leak in my own cars. My chevy truck has a bottle of Alumaseal in it right now because of a little leak on the lower intake manifold. Its been in there for two years now. The leak is stopped too.

Originally posted by 82 elky
Need help from the rest of the SBC gurues..

I have a 82 elky w/ a slightly modified 302

Recently changed carbs ( no probs) and was out on the shake down drive...
took engine to about 5500 rpms..ran out ok...but when i arrived back to the shop I noticed watrer underneath....took a look and found that one of the waterpump to block gaskets had started leaking...

So here is the question...how much pressure i is there in the cooling system at 4500-5500 rpm??

standard cooling system ..stock thermostat..no modifications to cooling system
new 3 core radiator installed 2yrs ago at overhaul...never a problem with cooling system prior to this..

look on top of your rad. cap. the pressure of your cap will be stamped on the top. whatever your psi cap is the amount of pressure that is in your rad. if for some reason the pressure get higher than that, then cap will release the extra pressure. should be around 15 lb.

yeah, go with the Mr. Gasket ones.... i've always liked Mr. Gasket cause they tend to make the gaskets a little thicker than fel-pro... they tend to seal much better...

and the problem probably just happened to be coincidance....

thanks for the suggestions ....

wouldnt think of using stop leak....not into patching things...


thesal said "and the problem probably just happened to be coincidance...."

exactamundo .....


turned out to be a simple gasket failure on the water pump....replaced and all is good...

BTW the new holly is also performing wonderfully...huge differance..from the old QJunk...