Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Last weekend was running errands in my car. Steam started coming out from under the hood. Pulled into the driveway, turned off the engine, and open the hood. After letting the engine cool for about 20 minutes, I opened the radiator cap and noticed not water or coolant. I started filling up with coolant and water, and water just started pouring out the passenger side of the engine compartment (side of engine where generator interior heater are located). Radiator hoses are fine. No leak from the water pump area nor water pump manifold - that I can see. Pouring water into the radiator results in immediate emptying of water/coolant from the bottom area of the engine.

The service manual suggests a possible engine head or manifold crack. The oil dip stick shows some signs of watery oil. Could this be a head gasket?

The engine still starts and runs fine. Any thoughts on possible problem and how difficult it is to repair is very much appreciated.

Did you look at the freeze plugs? Maybe one fell out or has rotted and now has a huge hole in it?

If it is in the oil and oil has a creamy sludge look on the dipstick then head gasket is a good possibility.

Freeze plug is also a possibility if the oil is found to be OK. Another place is on the extreme rear of the R head next to the firewall where the outlet fitting for the heater hose is located. That hose fitting is screwed into a mounting plate which in turn is bolted onto the head. Possibly the hose or the gasket between the head and plate has a problem and water is running down the rear of engine.

Another hard to see passenger side leak is the thermal valve for the heater. The rubber seal can deteriorate and leak. Usually water will run down the dash pad and under the carpet to pool in a depression in the floor and then out one of the body mount holes. If it has the original Corbin wire clamps on the valve hoses those can weaken and allow the connection to leak. In that case water can run down either on the engine side or under the dash pad side of firewall and then out. A leak in that area would have a puddle on the garage floor but would not show on the side of the engine.

Looks like a bad freeze plug. The oil is fine - no water. I got under the car this morning, poured some water in the radiator, and watched it dump out the freeze plug in the front of the block adjacent to the motor mount. Ugh.

Is it possible to replace the freeze plug without pulling out the engine? The service manual doesn't give instructions on replacing freeze plugs - at least I didn't find any.

Update. I had a blown freeze plug replace as well as the water pump. All is well now with the car.