Leaking Coolant...

[Umby]

I spend most of my time over in the 5.0 forums, but a friend of my recently aquired a '98 GT vert with a problem...

The car leaks tons of coolant from in between the stat housing and the water neck. I replaced the stat and the seal and it still leaked so I filled the gap full of RTV. It still has a small leak, but it got them back home...

Any idea what the problem is? Is this a common 4.6 thing?

Thank you all for your help. I didn't do a search, so if there is already a thread on this sort of thing please point me in the right direction...

 

[ACSPONY]

the 96-98s have a coolant problem just like what you're describing. The intakes like to leak coolant near the thermostat housing. There was a service bulletin on this I think but if it's a 98 the warranty is probably up. He can pick up a replacement with an aluminum crossover- which will prevent leaking unlike the factory plastic one- or he can get a PI intake- the one from 99+ stangs and pick up some horsepower in the process. This will bolt on but you'll either need adapter gaskets or some RTV. Do a search for PI swap and you'll find what you need.
Good luck,
~A.C.

 

[Umby]

Thanx, I'll do some checking...

Where would I drum up an aluminum one at and how would I replace it since its molded to the manifold... or is it???

 

[DropTopPony]

Thanx, I'll do some checking...

Where would I drum up an aluminum one at and how would I replace it since its molded to the manifold... or is it???

he needs a whole new intake....the replacement intake will come with the front coolant crossover in aluminum not plastic. There was a recall on these and a lawsuit also. He should just get a 03 or 04 stock intake to use as a replacement. It will add @15rwhp and solve his problem. theres companies that sell complete swap kits like Livernois Motorsports. Heres a pic of that install kit....notice the aluminum crossover in the front.

 

[ACSPONY]

he needs a whole new intake....the replacement intake will come with the front coolant crossover in aluminum not plastic. There was a recall on these and a lawsuit also. He should just get a 03 or 04 stock intake to use as a replacement. It will add @15rwhp and solve his problem. theres companies that sell complete swap kits like Livernois Motorsports. Heres a pic of that install kit....notice the aluminum crossover in the front.

That's why I said he can pick up a new one[intake] WITH AN ALUMINUM CROSSOVER

 

[COramprat]

DO the swap to the PI intake...flows alot better than the old one. There are two ways to install it. RTV will seal it since the ports do not match. Many have had success doing it this way. You can also buy adapter plates to smooth the transistion between the mismatched ports. www.unitedmajority.com has a write up on the swap and may still have some plates left. Check Ebay also...they show there every now and then. Livenois makes a kit but it is pretty expensive...about 600 bucks.

You could do a headswap that will give you a nice boost in HP...all depends on what you want to spend. Search headswap or pi intake and you will find tons of info.

 

[96WhiteNight]

For sure you can buy the whole PI set up, heads, gaskets, bolts, and intake for about 1100. And you see an average of 40-50 hp gains. Do cams with the swap and you can get up to about 70-80 hp.

 

[Umby]

Gotcha! Thanx for all your help! I'll let ya know what he decides to do.