Early GM 2.8 lower intake leak?

[ifixalot]

Does anybody know if the late 80s 2.8 GM v6 was prone to lower intake gasket leaks in
the cooling system like the later engines?
Or, were those blocks prone to cracking?

[Money pit Beretta]

They were not prone to leaks,that would be a rare thing for them. Same as a cracked block.

[1988GTU]

Distributor o ring leaks, valve cover leaks, PCV system leaks, small journal knocking, and icm/coils failing. No lim leaks or cracking.

[ifixalot]

OK, thanks for the relies.
I found a Beretta with the 2.8 in it. He says it was leaking coolant,
a mechanic told him the block is cracked and he added some stop
leak which fixed it for now. So at this point who knows where it's leaking
from. He has been driving it to school every day.
The car has 27k miles on it. It was an older lady's car and
was suppose to have sat in the garage a lot.
I didn't think a block would crack unless it didn't have antifreeze in it.
I thought I'd buy it and if I had to, swap another similar engine.
It also has sagging headliner, warped dash etc. But it seems like a solid car.
But I'm not sure I want to take on another car.

[ifixalot]

I bought this car for $1300. It's a solid car with 27K miles on it. It needs some TLC.
The dash has warp, some burned out bulbs in the instruments. I wonder if I can get the dash pad off?
Also how to remove the cluster to replace the bulbs. It seems to be missing s light pipe in the heater/AC
panel since only portions are illuminated but the bulbs work. The TCC is disconnected so I know what needs
done there. The brakes are spongy so it'll probably need everything including complete flush of brake fluid.
I need this like a hole in the head but these "barn find" type cars don't come along often.
It has some kind of gasket around the headlights that I've never seen on a Beretta before.

[ifixalot]

Here are a couple more pics.

[themixer]

looks like the best solution is a 3400 swap.

[ifixalot]

I think I'd rather swap a more compatible engine if it needs it.
I'm not sure the block is really cracked.
I see where it has leaked down on the back of the block.
It sort of looks like a vertical crack but it's hard to get a good look.
I have to get under there and clean the block and take a closer look.
Meantime, I put some paper toweling under the corner of the LIMG to see if that is really
where coolant is coming from. But it doesn't appear to be leaking right now.
Usually when a block cracks, it cracks horizontally across the bottom of the water jacket.

[1988GTU]

i didnt catch the year? 88 2.8 i assume?

[ifixalot]

yes sir it's a 1988

[Money pit Beretta]

Looks nice. Save those headlight seals, they are ultra rare and only were on the older cars. Even were rare on them.
Not sure if this is right for the older cars, but you should be able to get to the heater controls from the back side. I know you can on the newer cars, just can't take it out without taking off the cover.

[ifixalot]

Picture of the headlight seal.