Coolant leak after replacing heads

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chris44nala

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Hi,

So, I bought some heads for my 78 GMC and finally got the thing back together. All seemed well at initial startup. Oil pressure, good. Coolant temp good. Then my worst fears were realized. Billowing white smoke after a short drive. Got it home after fumigating the neighborhood and parked it.

The question is what is the best way to determine where the leak is? Also, is it possible that it is an intake manifold gasket problem?

Thanks for the help,

Chris
 

Frankenchevy

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Water in oil may be an intake manifold problem. But water in the combustion chamber points to head gasket or cracked head.
 

Rusty Nail

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You performed a final tightening during assembly? I would check the torque wrench before I started killing new gaskets. :killer:
Absent sealer around the coolant passages is a big no-no :nono:

If those checks fail..that's not promising.
Good Luck.
Hope this helps!
 

Rickf

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Air bubbles in the radiator is another indication of head gasket problems.
 

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