egerson

When I received my 58, I noticed a few oil drops under where it had been parked, and obviously got very upset. I checked the dipstick and it was ~1 inch above FULL. I put paper down under the car, and this showed oil from 2 or 3 sources. One was enuf leakage to leave a small trail as the floor slopes slightly to a floor drain. Pictures attached.

it was sold to me as a "solid" driver with no know problems, so I am still working with the the seller, hopefully reputable.

In my research so far, I have learned that this MIGHT merely be due to the fact that it is OVERFULL, but obviously concern is about a blown seal or gasket.
I intend to have the oil level corrected and recheck to see if it still leaks, but in the meantime, I would appreciate some input from anyone that might have experience with oil leaks, and especially info as to whether TOO MUCH oil might be the problem and correcting this could be an "easy" fix.
thanks in advance
ED G

jimh_1962

Drain the oil, clean up underneath, fill and recheck. Go through and check all of the usual suspects for loose bolts. You still bought a solid driver. Its a driver, so not sure what you expected. Leaks come with driving a 50 year old vehicle. Mine leaks about the same amount. Also, get a drip pan even if you do not have a leak. Adjusting valves will splash some oil.

Also, you can take a red scotch brite pad and remove the grime from the exhaust pipes if you want to.

I usually use mineral spirits whenever I clean the bottom of the engine.

jim lockwood

Sniff the oil on the dipstick, noting whether or not you smell gasoline. If so, then the overfull condition is due to a failed fuel pump.

jimh_1962

Forgot about that one. That's not good washing the cylinders. Plus could cause an internal combustion where you do not want one.

427Hotrod

This


JIM

cblankin

I would call the "NORMAL" for a over 50 year old car. Buy yourself a good drip pan and be happy you own a classic corvette. A solid driver with no problem is what you bought not a 2017 modern car with laser straight machined surfaces.

Tampa Jerry

The first picture seems to show an oil leak from the transmission. The oil on the flywheel cover could be a rear main seal. When you do your next oil and filter change, fill with 5 quarts of oil and check your dipstick after a short warm up. Your dipstick may be wrong. Jerry

KC John

If it makes you feel any better you can ask anyone with a C1 if they have a car that doesn't leak. They all do to some extent.

SDVette

At the risk of tempting fate, I will state that my C1 is now leak free (!!!)..
It was about a 2-year process (pan gasket, rear-main seal, timing cover gasket).. I'm sure the next leak is right around the corner.....

But these guys are onto something.. If it's gas in the crankcase (raising the oil level), that's a serious problem that must be dealt with ASAP.

Westlotorn

I agree with all that a 50 year old car will leak but his leak trails look very excessive.
Jim Lockwood has pointed out a very important issue to check with your fuel pump.
Rule that out as that is more important than leaks right now. It could be the source for a leak. Even at 50 years old most leaks can be eliminated or reduced down to nearly zero. Scale of 1-10 you are around a 10 and could be reduced to a 0-1 with work.
The old rope seal rear mains are really hard to get 100% dry.
If the old owner told you it has no leaks you might have a case but if he did not it is a used car and a very old used car. Nice Looking though!

rongold

Any car with a road draft ventilation system is going to drip oil as the engine cools down and the oil vapors condense back into liquid in the draft tube. They also spew oil vapors when the engine is running and those vapors will also show up as oil drips wherever they condense. It's the nature of the beast---perfectly normal.

RON

Bluestripe67

Some shad tree mechanics over tighten all the bolts on the oil pan and timing cover squeezing the gasket. This dimples the bolt holes which in turn lessens the rest of the pan rail or timing cover too seal properly, resulting in leaks. The pan and cover would need to be removed and trued up. Dennis