My '83 12a has developed a coolant leak. I can't see where it's leaking but I have coolant puddled on top of the motor under the carb and dripping on the ground.

Even though they were fairly new, I replaced the thermostat and the gasket on the housing that sits over the thermostat, put some gasket sealant on the housing where the hose fits over it, and replaced the hose clamp with a new one and tightened it really tight. I let it sit for a day so the sealant could cure and even with the coolant being low and no pressure in the systyem, it's still leaking.

Thanks for any suggestions!

- David

 

Sounds like the o-rings in the intake manifold could be leaking. The two round holes with black o-rings in this picture of a 12A intake have coolant flowing through them. The right one is directly behind the word "shutter".

 

Remove the intake and replace them, or is there another fix?

Thanks!

- David

 

Nope, just pull the mani and put new ones in. You can probably remove the mani without taking off the carb or much else. You just need enough room to clean up the area and stick the new orings in. You might want to use some type of suitable goop to help hold them in place while you reinstall the mani.

 

Thanks for the info! Where's the best place to buy o-rings? Advance Auto or Auto Zone have them?

- David

 

Buy a new intake manifold gasket. It will come with them. You'll probably need a new gasket anyways. I just had this same problem, and the new gasket fixed her right up.

 

David,

I bought a intake gasket kit a few months ago from advance here in statesville. the kit came with the o rings and a gasket. They got it in about 2 days.

 

You could also use 2 20mm freeze plugs and put them in with a little bit of JB Weld to hold them in there. That way you won't ever have to deal with the O-rings failing again. Also makes for less mess if you have to pull the manifold off again.

 

Thanks Super82 & Robs_seven! This leak has been about to drive me nuts! It'll have to wait until it gets above freezing for me to fix, though

- David