Just changed heads and now I have a coolant leak. It is not blowing white smoke but you can smell the coolant burning and when i park coolant leaks on the ground. It is coming from the back part of the motor. My brother told me it was probably from under the manifold but the only thing i can think of is the metal coolant line that bolts to the block. The thing is after driving for arouund 45 minutes it is low on coolant again so I dont think a leak there would be able to leak and burn that much coolant plus leak that much. This is really bothering me. Any advise would be helpfull.
Thanks
David

 

Two things real quick, are the gaskets that you used for your install the Tri Metal ones that come in GM's head kit? and are the heads that you installed in the 800 casting number area? (meaning not 241 heads). There is a gasket to head mis-match that GM is aware of now, and if this is the case, pull the heads and R&R them with the GM Graphite composite gaskets/Fel Pro's/ or Victor Reinez. Problem solved.
I know it sucks, been there done that.
Joe.

<small>[ August 23, 2002, 07:45 AM: Message edited by: JPR ]</small>

 

I just bought the individual gasket from gm. The part number is 1255-8810 the cylinder heads I am not sure what the numbers are but they are from a 99 trans am

 

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Sounds like Joe is right about mismatch, but be sure you have good seals on coolant tubes first and are you sure head bolt holes in block were clean and dry? Pressure test radiator and diagnose leak source first.

 

We cleaned all the bolt holes. I think this is the gm composite gasket and not the tri metal. Is there anything else it could be such as the heater core?

 

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Did you switch to an LS6 intake? If so, check the coolant crossover blockoffs... if you put the gaskets on backward (very easy to do...) It will leak like crazy... This is an easy quick fix and easy to check. The bolt should go through the hole WITHOUT the o-ring...

Shane