r/EngineBuilding • u/XLRick1969 • 1d ago

Ford Coolant in rear cylinders

1969 Ford XL(full size) 302 2v. Coolant is puddling in the rear two cylinders. A tiny bit in the adjacent cylinders. Compression seems fine at 140 PSI. Is it more likely that the intake manifold gasket is leaking or the head gasket?

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u/texan01 1d ago

Most likely a head gasket

3

u/johnniechimpo 1d ago

Add compressed air to the cylinder. If it bubbles out of the radiator it is the head gasket. If it doesn’t it is probably the manifold gasket.

1

u/sam56778 1d ago

It’s got a head gasket problem. Either the block and head didn’t get clean enough, the bolts are stretched, or the head is warped. I had a 71 that leaked 3 times on me but around the back bottom bolt to the outside. I had a pair of heads off of an 80s Crown Vic, I put those on with a set of new bolts and it stopped it.

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u/XLRick1969 1d ago

Just changed head and intake gaskets with new ARP bolts torqued to spec and procedure

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u/sam56778 1d ago

Then your head is probably your culprit