Cylinder head water manifold (early)

[David.H]

Hi David,

Is it leaking from the top of the stud or around the base? As long as the bottom of the manifold is sound and flat a new gasket may do the trick (if not, you could replace the manifold, or you could try lapping this face on some abrasive paper on a flat surface). If leaking from the top, perhaps some gasket goo (heat resistant) or a fibre washer. Like the side manifold, I'd be careful of the temptation to tighten the nut, unless you know the stud is screwed into sound metal.

As an aside, I have never used anti-freeze in my car, I simply drain it when not in use. This is partly to avoid getting a faceful of anti-freeze when I brake (recently discussed on the forum) but also because glycol is a less efficient coolant than water and your engine will run hotter; fine if your cooling system is in good shape, less fine if it isn't.

Thanks Chris,
the leak is from the rubber gasket (30 years old?) still soft, but splitting. I will get a gasket, dismantle carefully & reassemble even more carefully.
As my aside I always thought glycol raised the boiling point, which is why it was/is used in aircraft engines....
My garage can get quite cold & it is a faff to drain & fill....no drain tap on the radiator... so getting the system in good shape is the aim! The car has had little use since a rebuild in the 80's, so I am getting little bugs out of it. (see my questions on carb overflowing!)