coolant leak

[ferrarfr]

Hi there, I just recently spent a considerable amount of money fixing my 74 spider i.e. new carburetor and breather, new muffler, bearings and seal for the distributor, tires and a few other things all at different times but all within a few months. I got maybe 300 km on it and when I got in the driveway I see antifreeze pouring down from the middle of the car near the transmission. From what I could see from putting on ramps I was unable to trace it to exactly where it was coming from except it seemed to come from behind the starter but I was unsure. Does anyone have any ideas as to where it could be. All hoses visible to me seemed to be fine in the engine compartment.
Any ideas would be appreciated

[76was124]

I'm not familiar with the engine bay layout of a 74, but you may want to check the hoses to the heater core which should be near the top of the engine at the firewall. Leaks can travel strange paths. Maybe check the water pump area too.

Since antifreeze glows in the dark under a black light, that could help trace the source, although if it's pouring out, seems you wouldn't need that approach.

[ferrarfr]

Thanks, I'm going to have another and longer look. I could have missed something.

[RRoller123]

The leak appearing just behind the starter might indicate that it is leaking from the head gasket corner just above.

[klweimer]

Another possibility, although I'd say very unlikely, would be the plate on the back of the block that closes off the water jacket of the engine. It's almost impossibe to see, as it's right up against the firewall. Maybe with an inspection mirror. Someone mentioned a black light flashlight, which is a great way to see the track of the leak from the block. I've had one for years and can't tell you how handy it's been.
Kirk

[dutchspiderrider]

@RRoller123

Kinda experiencing the same thing here. What was the outcome of it all??

[TX82FIAT]

I would take a close look at the head gasket in the back towards the firewall. These can be very small and trickle down making it hard to trace the path of the coolant down the block or transmission. Clean the area between the head and the block. After clean look real close near each of the head bolts in particular the two back bolts on each side. I've had leaks so small that I could only tell by cleaning the area, ensuring it is dry and running through a couple cycles and then using tissue paper in the suspected area to see if a leak. Very small almost untraceable leaks in the head gasket are the early warning signs of an eventual head gasket failure. Look at freeze plugs as well. While unlikely, some of them will weep as well.

[DieselSpider]

Have to consider too when the coolant was last flushed. If over two years the chances of having a failing freeze plug increases either from acid build up and rust or loss of freeze protection.