North American Turbocoupe Organization



sprung a leak...
ridgeback Offline
Member
#1
So the bird was dormant for about a month, itching to get her out and finally a nice dry day so out of the garage she goes but not before I quickly check oil level. Pop the hood as she is warming up and WTF now! (see link for pic) Exhaust manifold by the front of the engine is slowly bubbling along the top edge of the iron against the head. A nice white residual is all that's left once the manifold heated up. Coolant level appears to be OK so if it my coolant, it must have just recently happened or its leaking very minimal amounts. No misfires, engine runs like a smooth monster at all RPMs.

So guys, what am I looking at here? cracked head?? is this a common failure area for the head or manifold??

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vzwngze6rriyi0...y.jpg?dl=0
Ron

Black 87 TC, 2nd owner since 1990@21k, now@109k.
Current Mods: Gillis valve @18psi. K&N Cone. Removed AC components, New: Esslinger Aux. Shaft, Seals, Melling Oil Pump, Heater core. Ranger cam & rollers, new tower bearings, Walbro 255 fuel pump
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#2
My guess is that if that is coolant, and there isn't much else it could be besides oil, then the coolant is coming from one of the metal tubes/connecting hoses running along side the head, back to the heater core. The coolant tubes can rot out and leak.
Pete Dunham


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RC Martin Offline
Posting Freak
#3
I've had that exact same leak, just not as bad. The hose probably dried up a bit. Tighten the ones above that spot and you should be good to go!
Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, Bright Canyon Red TuTone, Desert Tan Interior; 1 of 7 in this combo in 1984 according to Marti.  1 of 13,361 TCs in 84.
   Rebuilt, 3-Angle Valve Job, SYB37 "OE/Small" Slider Cam
   Full 3" Stinger Exhaust to Flowmaster 40, Gnari FMIC/Recirc/BPV, MBC @ 18psi, RF-E6 Manifold, Remote-Mount TFI, PC1 and Flowed 35# Injectors, Inline Walboro 255HP, Kirban AFPR
   Rebuilt Suspension -- KYB & Energy Suspension
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Jeff K Offline
Administrator
#4
^^^^^ Agreed. The 90 deg hose from thermostat housing to the coolant pipe running along the VC is likely leaking under pressure.
Jeff Korn

88 Turbo Coupe: Intake and exhaust mods, T3 turbo at 24 psi, forced air IC, water injection, BPV, Ranger cam, subframes, etc., etc.
86 Tbird 5.0 (original owner): intake, exhaust, valvetrain mods, 100 HP N2O, ignition, gears, suspension, etc., etc.
11 Crown Vic Interceptor
14 Toyota Camry (wifes car)
95 Taurus GL Vulcan winter beater
67 Honda 450 Super Sport - completely customized
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ridgeback Offline
Member
#5
Ok lets say it is a coolant leak from the thin line just above... I do see small bubbles along the fit of the exhaust manifold and the head indicated by the red line i drew on the pic... could that just be a very small exhaust leak soaked by the leaking coolant line? I am hoping that's the case, sounding the least expensive. I will take a closer look once I get rid of my crippling sore throat virus.

thanks guys!
Ron

Black 87 TC, 2nd owner since 1990@21k, now@109k.
Current Mods: Gillis valve @18psi. K&N Cone. Removed AC components, New: Esslinger Aux. Shaft, Seals, Melling Oil Pump, Heater core. Ranger cam & rollers, new tower bearings, Walbro 255 fuel pump
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Pete D Offline
Administrator
#6
Ron, There is no gasket between the manifold and the head, from the factory, on a turbo 2.3. There is an opportunity for small amounts of leakage, after 30 years. This would be especially true during warm up.
Pete Dunham


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RC Martin Offline
Posting Freak
#7
It could also just be hottest spot and boiling off at that edge...
Thunderbird Turbo Coupe, Bright Canyon Red TuTone, Desert Tan Interior; 1 of 7 in this combo in 1984 according to Marti.  1 of 13,361 TCs in 84.
   Rebuilt, 3-Angle Valve Job, SYB37 "OE/Small" Slider Cam
   Full 3" Stinger Exhaust to Flowmaster 40, Gnari FMIC/Recirc/BPV, MBC @ 18psi, RF-E6 Manifold, Remote-Mount TFI, PC1 and Flowed 35# Injectors, Inline Walboro 255HP, Kirban AFPR
   Rebuilt Suspension -- KYB & Energy Suspension
Reply

ridgeback Offline
Member
#8
Pete your dead on... it was on a warm up when i noticed it so I have my fingers crossed that its a simple coolant leak from above.

I will follow up on it when i get a chance to take a close look.. too cold now.

Ron

Black 87 TC, 2nd owner since 1990@21k, now@109k.
Current Mods: Gillis valve @18psi. K&N Cone. Removed AC components, New: Esslinger Aux. Shaft, Seals, Melling Oil Pump, Heater core. Ranger cam & rollers, new tower bearings, Walbro 255 fuel pump
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