collant leak pass side frame rail

[TopBanana72]

1972 318 Charger. Raised the front of the car onto jack stands to change the oil. I noticed leaking coolant coming from the passenger side front frame rail. Finished the oil change drove around for a bit and still leaking there. Carpet is a little damp under the heater core. What has happened? What do I do...? I want to drive from Ohio to Carlisle tomorrow...

thanks

 

[Bob Sawyer]

It's most likely your heater hoses leaking at the heater core nipples or the heater core leaking.
If you want to drive it, disconnect the heater hoses at the firewall and plug them. If both hoses are the same diameter, you can disconnect them from the heater core and loop the two nipples in the block together by using just one hose. Top off the radiator and cruise.
Enjoy your trip.

 

[TopBanana72]

thanks...

one hose is 1/2" to the manifold, the other is 5/8" to the pump. I guess I could try and make the 1/2 one fit on the pump.

 

[WileE]

What he said. You'll probably not need a heater right now.

 

[diesel_lv]

Rent/borrow a radiator pressure tester from your local parts store and pressurize the system and find precisely where it's leaking.

 

[moparwacko]

Typical roadside fix, take the 1/2 in side off the heater core and jam it on the 5/8 in nipple.
Or if you happen to have a 1/2 in garden hose repair sleeve, just take both off the core, connect the two and drive.
Now you have something to look for at Carlisle.
You'll make it.

 

[TopBanana72]

Got it. Connected the two hoses at the heater core end to each other with a plumbing adapter from Home Depot (5/8 to 1/2) and hose lamps. Thanks for all the suggestions.

 

[diesel_lv]

Got it. Connected the two hoses at the heater core end to each other with a plumbing adapter from Home Depot (5/8 to 1/2) and hose lamps. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Did You figure out exactly where the leak is? You're in Ohio, you're gonna need heat n defrost in the winter.

 

[TopBanana72]

That will be my next job on the car. I don't drive it in winter months, but fall yes.

I did make it to Carlisle and back.. no issues