I just started to look at my new 83 and found the intake leaks back by the distrib. I don't know the history of the problem so my question is what do I look for if I think the intake is warped or do you think its just blown a gasket.
I plan on openning her up on Tuesday.
For now I'm just intending on replacing the gasket and temp. I was just wondering if its easy to see if its warped?
Thanks for any help.

Sometimes the small rubber gasket at the back will not be seated correctly. Only way to tell for sure is to pull the intake.

This is probably not a serious problem. Just replace the gasket with a quality brand. It's probably just seepage from being old.

Thanks I'm really tring not to spend to much on this at this point. Just want to get a feel for it before I put it into a thousand baggies and buckets.

I'll be back with a lot more questions in the future!

Thanks again

Centaur, I use Blue RTV in place of the gaskets. Put a 1/4" high bead on each end. Make sure you get some where the block meets the head. Use your regular gaskets on the heads. Throw those rubber end gaskets into the trash can & put your manifold on, torque it down & let it set overnight. Trim the excess off with a razor knife & your good to go. I have never had one leak using this method.

I always use copper RTV & throw away these end rubbers. I use copper RTV on everything, good stuff.

Well the manifold wasn't warped but it there is that little hole on the back left side where the water meets the manifold.

Oh well I guess I'll be replacing that!

inside looked good but I do have a question about the left side exhaust port located in the middle right side. Not sure on terminology but I'm sure you get the idea.

There is a large amount of carbon built up in that port, it looks like its right at the opening.

My question is should I be looking to do more. I only intend on driving this for about a month so I can get a feel for the car and get a little work done on my truck, it will be off the road again before the snow falls.

There is also a good amount of rust in the water ports but I figure, water+cast iron=rust so I'm not to concerned about that.

Hopefully I will be able to work on her Sunday I will be picking up a manifold on Friday. Not aluminum!

Ditto on dumping the rubber gaskets, RTV is the way to go.