1997 ram1500 coolant leak help

[civictypr]

I have a 97 ram with the 5.9L. I have a coolant leak from the back side of the engine dripping of the transmission bell housing. I did the upper end gasket kit, for the intake. After doing so its still leaking and I cant see from where. Its dripping from the trans bell housing. Im super frustrated and any and all help would be gratefull

[Will Help]

If it is dripping out of the housing, it could be a bad welch/freeze plug which means you have to pull the tranny to get to it.

If it is above to housing and below the intake gasket you replaced already, it is probably a head gasket.

The the best is yet to come. It could be just a leakey heater hose!!!!!

[civictypr]

Well I know for sure its not the heater hoses. I assumed it was the intake gasket cause I have had that issue with many GM motors. Not in this case though. Still leaking. Sucks. If its a freeze plug the trans has to come out then right? No way to confirm without taking it out? Is there one plug or 2? Hope its not a head gasket

[Will Help]

Just to be sure of something, some cylinder heads also have welch/freeze plugs in at least one end of the heads. Double check this before we take the tranny plunge. You can purchase an expandible plug that can be installed easier in tight places without taking off the head. If the coolant is running out the bottom of the housing and not around it, then there are 2 welch plugs 3 to 6 inches on either side of the cam bore inside the housing which requires removal of tranny, torque convertor if an auto and the flywheel.

Fun time!!!

Question for today: What is the true purpose of the welch/freeze plug holes in an engine?

Answer: Too allow the sand used to make the casting to be thoroughly cleaned out of the casting. They have to plug the holes and pressed in plugs tend to pop out when the water expands as it freezes hopefully saving the engine. Race engines thread these holes and put in pipe plugs for 2 reasons. They will not blow out under pressure and they also strengthen the casting in weak harmonics prone areas.

[civictypr]

Dang guess Ill find out today. Ill check it out real good. Thank you so much for the help. Ill post as I find things out.