My 302 is getting water into the intake. Pulled all the plugs and put some paper towels in front of each opening. Cranked it over and all 8 hole pumped a little wet spot. At start up it coughed and sputtered then smothed out as it warmed up. Driving about 1/2 hour coolant level goes down about 1 quart. No water in oil. I'm guessing there's a hairline crack in the Weiand 4 barrel (aluminum) intake and dripping into the ports. I guess that, when driving, and you let off the gas, higher va***e ****s the water in even faster. Does seem like it would be a gasket problem or it would only effect one or 2 cylinders ??????? Any way to test the manifold? Maybe the easy answer is Ford Racing and $8 grand?
Are you using an after market intake or a used intake?, I had a problem with an intake on a 302, it was bought at a swap-meet, turned out to be warped, take it to a machine shop and have it checked. The one we used was warped and had to be decked, problem solved.
It possible for the intake gasket to leak on SBFs. I always coat both sides of the gasket at the water ports with rtv when I install an intake.
Uh, yeah, he says "Weiand 4 barrel (aluminum) intake " so I'd say so most of the time when I have had one where the intake gaskets didn't seal at the water jackets, it leaked water into the oil so you knew it pretty quick. if you are getting water in ALL of the cylinders, and not in the oil, then I would have to say that the manifold has a hole, crack leak from a water jacket to the intake plenum. I don't think a leaky intake gasket would get to all the cylinders, at least not in my experience.
If cylinder #8 is the only one getting wet it is probably the intake gasket.289/302/351 engines use intake gaskets and heads that can be used on either bank,so you have a water jacket at the rear which is cylinders #8 or #4 depending on side.I would bet the intake gasket above #8 cylinder is not sealing.Very common problem,easy fix! ROY.
Had the same thing happen on a recent 302. New alum intake and gasket didn't seal. Pull it and check everything out and seal it back up. I pulled the head and had it tested to make sure I didn't have a crack somewhere as there was no water in the oil. Everything checked out so new gaskets and all has been well.
I dont trust used intakes now,put a used one on my 302 and it acted like a big va***n leak but did not leak any water.
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