[DeTomaso] Mysterious coolant leak

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

Three choices based on your carefully looking at the leak area; 
first, as you said, the gasket between the pump and cover may have failed on 
the bottom- or one of the pump bolts loosened up. 
Second, a blow-out of the gasket at the front cover where it attaches to the 
to block; some 351Cs had inexplicable slots cut in the outside of the steel 
front cover 1/8" away from the gasket at that point, and an external leak occurs 
if the ultra-thin gasket fails at that point.   For insurance, I always fill 
those weird cut slots with Permatex. 
Third might be- as Michael said- from a pump seal failure. In any case, it's 
time the pump and cover comes off for further inspection. The pump comes right 
off but you'll need to loosen the front pan bolts and use a harmonic balancer 
puller to pull the front cover, and its a really good idea to replace the 
front main seal any time the harmonic balencer is removed.

While its apart, please cut the upholstered bubble free of the main rear 
panel so you don't have to strip the interior out of the car to access the engine! 
How to do this was written up in the newsletter in Aug '96, in Jan 06 and 
sketchily in Mar '07, all with photos. Good luck- J Deryke


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