87 300SDL leaking coolant - head or gasket?

[digitaldiesel]

Well....

This forum has been a tremendous help in getting my newly acquired 87 300SDL up from a "reliable starter with no power" to a "downright fun to drive Big Benz." Over the course of the past month, I have cleaned up the vacuum system, done the diesel purge, changed filters, etc. This has brought the car from about 60hp up to pretty close the factory spec (no dyno, but it drives happily at 90mph) Unfortunately the sudden transition for this old gentleman from bed-ridden shuffler to octogenarian marathon runner has caused him to break a hip-bone....

I really had hoped that my first post to the forum was going to something more fun than this....pretty significant coolant leak has developed suddenly and I suspect it's either a cracked head or blown head gasket. Would be delighted if you guys told me it was in fact a cheap and easy fix like a loose freeze plug.....but I doubt it.

The leak is a "drip-pause-drip-pause-drip-pause" kinda deal and it happens whether the car is running or not (pretty sure it's fast when running). The point of origin is the back of the engine right at the very back of the exhaust manifold. The drip falls off the end of the exhaust manifold and I can't see it's true origin because the heat shield is in the way.

Where am I at, gentlemen? I was prepared when I got the car for a potential $$$$ fix, but hoping it's more a $$$ fix.

/Alex
digital diesel
87 300SDL 171K - "The Velvet Hammer"