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I am having a bit of an oil leak in my 76. In the picture below, the blue arrow points to a leak in my oil pan (which is something I just noticed recently) but not sure exactly what is causing the leak from where I am getting a drip at the red arrow. Thoughts? I have the original exhaust, so I am a bit nervous as to the job that lies ahead with changing the oil pan gasket.
Last edited by tjmaniez; Sep 13, 2016 at 10:27 PM.
I am having a bit of an oil leak in my 76. In the picture below, the blue arrow points to a leak in my oil pan (which is something I just noticed recently) but not sure exactly what is causing the leak from where I am getting a drip at the red arrow. Thoughts? I have the original exhaust, so I am a bit nervous as to the job that lies ahead with changing the oil pan gasket.
Looks like my car two years ago. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you might want to prepare yourself for replacing front and rear seals and the pan gasket. It's not going to get any better. Will help tremendously to have it on a lift, or to know a competent wrench who has a lift and will be fair in his fee. Could be worse, your tranny could also be dripping.
I am having a bit of an oil leak in my 76. In the picture below, the blue arrow points to a leak in my oil pan (which is something I just noticed recently) but not sure exactly what is causing the leak from where I am getting a drip at the red arrow. Thoughts? I have the original exhaust, so I am a bit nervous as to the job that lies ahead with changing the oil pan gasket.
I'm with Texas re front and rear seals along with gasket. I went through all the work to replace these...and still leaks. I also replaced the transmission pan gasket. But still leaks...The color is red...tranny fluid!
It is not a bad project with the aid of a lift. You will have to drop the front Y pipe, remove starter, loosen and drop idler arm. Oh...important remove the battery cable from the battery.
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I would solve the pan leak first. When you drive it, that oil blows back all over everything. You may have one leak. You can get engine degreaser and a power washer and clean it all up, let it dry then let it idle and see if you have multiple leaks.
I am having a bit of an oil leak in my 76. In the picture below, the blue arrow points to a leak in my oil pan (which is something I just noticed recently) but not sure exactly what is causing the leak from where I am getting a drip at the red arrow. Thoughts? I have the original exhaust, so I am a bit nervous as to the job that lies ahead with changing the oil pan gasket.
I would start with the simple fixes first. Its very possible that your valve covers are leaking, these are notorious for this. Then if that's not it proceed to other fixes.
The blue arrow looks like it is just coming from your drain plug seal and the red arrow might be coming from the valve cover and running down as " Red Topless" said. It looks too far back to be a rear seal. Best to power wash it off first and make sure before you get into a major job that might not be needed at this time .
Start with a Simple Green bath. Find out where the leak(s) are coming from. If it is not the transmission, and the pan gasket is bad, I would replace it with a Fel Pro one piece gasket. While you are at it, I would also replace the rear main seal. The hardest part of the job is removing the pan. I would also replace the pan plug and gasket. I just did this on my 66 and it was fairly straight forward. It really helps if you have access to a lift. Good luck. Jerry
like others have noted clean it real good. check the back of the intake along the china wall and the distributor gasket. these often leak from the gaskets also drying up over time. The distributor gasket leaking is sometimes misdiagnosed as the valve cover gaskets leaking.
If you're wrenching on the oil pan, A) you might have to remove the starter, and you'll definitely have to remove the cable; B) even if you don't have to remove the starter, an errant wrench around that cable, if it's attached to the battery, can create a real "fireworks show".....
So we dug into this on Saturday...the rear main was really bad, so that is likely where I was getting my leak. I haven't had a chance to start it yet to see if there is any further leak though, as we ultimately had to cut the exhaust just after the Y in order to drop the oil pan. Going to fix that before I start it again (although the thought of starting it once just to hear what straight headers sounds like has crossed my mind). Overall, it was a long project, due to the time it took to scrape the old oil pan gasket off but wasn't too bad. I have already bought the valve cover gaskets, so that will be my next project.
Take the car to a quarter car wash (or use a pressure washer) with hi-pressure spray to clean off all the collected grease/grime. You may need to shoot some GUNK engine cleaner on it first and let sit for 15-20 minutes. Once the surface is clean, dry it; then have car started while you are under it. Or...better yet...buy the little oil leak detector kit with dye, UV penlight and yellow glasses. Look for leak in dark garage (at night). You can trace the leakage to the starting point.
You could have multiple leaks in that area. Fixing just one of them may not solve your problem.
Have had the car out a few times and have had no further oil leaks. Looks like the rear-main gasket was indeed the culprit. Bad news is that I am getting a slight drip now from my rear differential...seems all of my gaskets are failing at the same time. Taking it to a shop to get a quote...as I want to get it fixed before it sits this winter.
Did you have to remove the engine to fix the rear main seal?
If not, did you replace the rear main seal with a 2 piece or 1 piece?
I only ask cause the local shop told me you have to have the engine removed to do it and I dont believe them.
p.s. Do you have to remove the engine for the front seal?
Did you have to remove the engine to fix the rear main seal?
If not, did you replace the rear main seal with a 2 piece or 1 piece?
I only ask cause the local shop told me you have to have the engine removed to do it and I dont believe them.
p.s. Do you have to remove the engine for the front seal?
thanks
jim
No you certainly do not have to remove the engine...on mine (which is a 76) I just had to drop the oil pan and then remove the oil pump. After that you have clear vision to the rear main. It is actually very easy to push out with a flat head screwdriver. I used the 2 piece for the replacement. The hardest part on all of it was the exhaust removal, since it is in the way of being able to drop the pan. I am uncertain on the front, but from what I have read there is a lot more work involved.
Would it be easier or more difficult with headers and side pipes do you think?
I got a feeling this shop was quoting me a price and work to replace it with a 1 piece possibly?
Thoughts on Oil Leak
