Thread: Will it ever start agian?

I'd reckon the coolant trail on the rh side front will be from the coolant port into the inlet manifold.

I'd agree that it looks like a low k top end. There seems no sign of gasket sealant on the inlet port surrounds, and if there has been some work done on the heads (viz. a severe 'haircut'), a usual prevention measure by engine builders is to use a sealant on the valley cover gasket (eg Locktite 515) to ensure a seal around the back and front water gallery ports (and the inlet porting areas, too).

If it's been a massive CR change, the manifold won't cover the ports correctly without some facing work. No angles change, just distances. Doesn't look like it here, though.

I'd still use a high quality sealant on the valley cover and end seals (I use 3 Bond in grey or black) when I reassembled the top end.

FWIW

Cheers

Pete