The car started running pretty hot towards the end of the last race so I slowed down and was able to finish the race without losing a position (I was pretty far ahead of the guy behind me). I was able to keep engine temps around 200. Anyways, I got myself a coolant system pressure tester and it looks like the leak is where the intake manifold connects to the engine block. Is it common engine design to have the coolant line run through the intake manifold to get to the block? To make matters even more fun, I was checking to see if the intake manifold bolts had worked loose by giving them a turn with the ratchet and snapped the head off one of the bolts (without much effort).

So, is this a common problem? I'm wondering if the bolts were old and fatigued and had loosened and that's why I was getting a leak. I may be able to fix the leak by just replacing the bolts and re-torquing, but I'm wondering if I shouldn't just take the manifold off and redo it. It looks like RTV was used as the gasket for putting the manifold on, but the manual seems to show gaskets. Is it better to use the gaskets or the RTV or does it matter? What about the bolts? Should I just order some from the dealer or are there better ones to use?

The manual doesn't show jack on the manifold other than in the one drawing with the entire block. It looks pretty easy to take off (other than having to get at the bolts underneath), but are there any gotchas I should watch out for? I'm probably most concerned about my ancient wiring and breaking wires when I move stuff around.

Any and all help/info/suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

David