Cutlass is leaking...

[jordanfr13]

I'm 17 years old, and I just bought my first Cutlass 🙂 It's a 1982 and it's jadestone green. I bought it because of the great body and paint, and hope to put a different motor in it eventually, but first I've got to finish school (I'll be done by feb). It originally came with a 267, but now it's got a 305 with a turbo 350 and 2.29 gears. I just noticed that it's leaking antifreeze....it only leaks sometimes, but never when I park it. It only leacks during the first couple miles of driving. The antifreze is dripping from the petcock on the bottom of the rad, as well as on the other side of the rad protector/housing. The petcock is tight, so I'm assuming it's leaking from somewhere on the lower end of the rad, and then finding it's way to the lowest points (the petcock) or collecting in the rad cradle and then dripping out. Is there anywhere I should check first to find out where it's leaking? Also, the housing going from the engine to the transmission has a hole in it, so I can see the flywheel gear. Is this a big issue? Lastly, something is wrong with the power steering pump or something. When i turn, it makes a whining noise. The power steering fluid level is where it should be, so does that mean the pump is just shot? Thanks

 

[beermonkey9417]

it looks like ya might need a new petcock plug. i had a simaler thing happen with my saturn where the what the petcock screwed into was a clip thing that came out and that was cracked. after i replaced it it hasnt leaked in 4 years. maybe try using high temp teflon tape or something simaler.

 

[lightemup2]

i'm 17 also, and i had the same problem with my 78 cutlass,.. you may need a new petcock, or maybe a new water pump, my leaked from the bottom of the water pump, would leak then stop when i started going, but it dripped down the hoses and stuff and i thought it was coming from the radiator,,, but it was the water pump, once i fixed that it was still leaking but then i noticed one of my freeze plugs were rotted :shock:

 

[88hurstolds]

There's nothing wrong with your power steering pump, all GM cars do that.
Not sure where you are seeing the flex plate, at the top of the motor or bottom?
If your getting leaking when the car is running and not parked then it's probably coming from your water pump and running down the lower hose and collecting on the core support but I don't think anyone here can actually tell you where it's leaking from without actually looking at it, you're just gonna have to get on the ground and get dirty... 😀

I would also recommend a chassis service manual, not a Hanyes manual but an actual GM manual.
You can find them almost anywhere online, just Google it.
Good Luck!

 

[jordanfr13]

Thanks for the help. The hole is right on the bottom of the housing, I can see the flywheel through it. The hoses going to the pump are dry, I'm pretty sure it's leaking somewhere within the bottom inch of the radiator, if not the petcock. Is there a way to check the petcock without loosing all my antifreeze? Or do I just have to set up a pail and pour it back afterwards? Thanks again

 

[Bonnewagon]

Air in the PS pump can cause that noise. Someone may have let the fluid go low and air got in. Top off the PS fluid and with the motor running slowly turn the steering wheel back and forth lock to lock several times. That SHOULD purge the air, but as stated above, they tend to be noisy.

 

[jordanfr13]

Thanks again, I'll chck out the rad problem tonight. I'm starting to look into engine swaps...what is a good all-around swap? Should I look for a 350 or should I look into a 455? Theres a 1973 455 with a 4 barrel for sale in my area for 700 dollars running....is that a good deal? How much tougher is it to swap for a bb than it is for a small block? Also, is there a way to fit a 455 in without having to put a hoodscoop on it?

 

[outsider_27]

Air in the PS pump can cause that noise. Someone may have let the fluid go low and air got in. Top off the PS fluid and with the motor running slowly turn the steering wheel back and forth lock to lock several times. That SHOULD purge the air, but as stated above, they tend to be noisy.

Should do this with the front end off the ground. From the sound of it you have a hole in the inspection cover underneath the car. There is no problem with that. My old 77 Cutlass didn't even have an inspection cover and I never had a problem, in fact, that is the engine I have in my 79 now. With the coolant leak, look over your hoses between the water pump and radiator and make sure they are clean and dry. If they are, it may be the petcock.

 

[Bonnewagon]

Thank's Outsider-27, I should have added that. But hey,50 million women drivers park that way!

 

[outsider_27]

Thank's Outsider-27, I should have added that. But hey,50 million women drivers park that way!

They park with their front end off the ground?