My 1995 z28 is blowing antifreeze out of the exhaust. There is no water in the oil and on foam on the breather on the valve cover. It is not running hot and has never overheated but I am definitely losing coolant through the tailpipes. Is this the head gasket or could it be the intake manifold?
How would I make sure before committing to doing the head gasket?

 

Cylinder pressure test. You plug shop air into the cylinder and see where the air comes out. Normally I loosen the rockers to be sure the cam does not have a valve open. If its a lot of coolant it may show up on a compression test.

Its not going to matter a whole lot becuase you have to pull the intake to do the heads and once you pull the intake 70% of the work to pull the heads is already done. Heck if I had a older high miles LT1 and I was 100% sure it was the intake I would probably do the head gaskets at the same time anyway.

 

there is no coolant going through the intake on a lt1 so i would say its a head gasket or possibly cracked block or head.

 

The head gasket was leaking but now that the heads are off I think that it might be a good idea to change up some things ...what would you suggest? New heads, throttle body, headders what do you guys think..without going too crazy

 

send the heads to loyd at elliotts for a le1 or le2 p and p. while your at it send the intake to and pick a good cam to go with it. lookin a 18 to 19 hundred.
http://www.elliottsportworks.com/lt1.html

 

absolutely long tube headers. As for a new top end, it depends upon your budget. Some 1.6 roller rockers, new springs, seals, heads milled, push rods and lifters aren't a bad idea as you'll clean up slop and the 1.6's give you a wee bit more power.

Don't be in a rush. Since you have the heads off now is the time to clean up things and be proactive. Heck, take the front off (waterpump and opti) and replace the timing cover gasket set/seals and timing chain. new wires and plugs of course.