460 Oil Leak

daleed · #1 (**permalink**) 09-08-2003, 05:41 AM

After weeks of scraped knuckles, etc, etc, I'm almost ready to start the car for the first time. I prime the oil system by running the oil pump with a drill motor and notice oil dripping down the front surface of the plate between the bellhousing and the block. On closer inspection, the oil is seeping between the block and the plate on both sides of the main bearing cap.

The plate is dry on the back side (as best as I can tell). The top of the engine and rear surfaces are dry also.

This all leads me to believe that one of the plugs in the rear of the block behind the flywheel are leaking????? I assume that at least one of these plugs go into an oil passage???

I want to exhaust all possibilities before pulling the engine.

Any ideas??????

Dale

trularin · #2 (**permalink**) 09-08-2003, 06:22 AM

They all do.

Woodz428 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-08-2003, 06:26 AM

With that much oil generated from priming, you need access to the back of the block. If it means the engine has to come out,bite the bullet, and yank it. I you don't it will most likely be more expensive (and oily) to do it later.

Mr.Fixit · #4 (**permalink**) 09-08-2003, 08:17 AM

Sometimes, engine rebuilders won't put the rear cam plug in, they let you do it. That way when it leaks, they can tell you it was your fault. I know of at least one rebuilding house that does this.

BigEasy · #5 (**permalink**) 09-08-2003, 06:19 PM

Dale;

What do you think about Mr Fixit response---could it be the rear cam plug?? Either way, I guess it still means pulling the motor??

Charlie

dan adams · #6 (**permalink**) 09-08-2003, 08:35 PM

Remove the tranny and bell.

daleed · #7 (**permalink**) 09-09-2003, 05:15 AM

Charlie,

Yes, it could be the cam plug (or the pipe plugs around it) leaking. Still haven't completely ruled out the rear main seal either. Since the seal can be replaced in the car (it's a two piece), I may do that first.

If that doesn't do it, pulling the trans may work. I hadn't considered that since every thing is so tight in regard to working space, but that's not the case around the trans and bellhousing. There may be room on an SPF to do what Dan suggests. It will be a pain dialing in the Lakewood bellhousing while it's in the car, but less of a hassle than pulling the engine. Thanks Dan.

Dale

daleed · #8 (**permalink**) 09-19-2003, 11:30 AM

The leak was coming from both of the threaded plugs on either side of the cam plug. They were both only "finger" tight with no sealant (photo in my photo gallery). Boy, I wish I would have checked them before the engine installation.

I was able to gain access by removing the seats and the trans tunnel and lifting the trans out using an engine hoist.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Dale