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I needed to pull my trans due to a shifting issue and decided I'd try to address a very small oil leak. I was getting a little oil coming out of the bell housing. I thought it might be the rear seal, but I replaced it when I rebuilt the engine and when I pulled the rear main and pulled out the seal, I didn't see much evidence that it was leaking from the seal. I'm thinking it might be the oil pan is not sealing well against the block. I may end up replacing the pan. I did purchase a generic pan that was supposed to fit my '73 L-48 but the sump interfered with the pan baffle when I tried to install the pan previously. Any suggestions on a reasonable pan that will fit a L-48? Also I do have some oil on the bell housing mating surface of the block particularly by the oil filter. I've included a couple pics on the area. Any thoughts on where the oil might be coming from? I don't think it's the valve covers or the distributor, but I guess it's possible it's coming from the top. I also included a photo of my oil pan showing the baffles in my stock pan. I'd like to get something that is the same since this fits, but I hate to spend $250 on a new pan if I can avoid it.
I really appreciate any advice you are able to offer.
Jim,
Did you check the cork gasket that fits between the distributor base and intake manifold?
Mine was wasted and I replaced it.
I was getting wet in the same place.
I'm monitoring it now to see if this fixed the leak.
Your only choices are the distributor base or rear of the intake manifold.
Marshal
Thanks for the tips, great thought. I've had the distributor out a couple times, I wonder if the gasket isn't sealing well. I hope that might be the case. I hate messing with the intake.
I needed to pull my trans due to a shifting issue and decided I'd try to address a very small oil leak. I was getting a little oil coming out of the bell housing. I thought it might be the rear seal, but I replaced it when I rebuilt the engine and when I pulled the rear main and pulled out the seal, I didn't see much evidence that it was leaking from the seal. I'm thinking it might be the oil pan is not sealing well against the block. I may end up replacing the pan. I did purchase a generic pan that was supposed to fit my '73 L-48 but the sump interfered with the pan baffle when I tried to install the pan previously. Any suggestions on a reasonable pan that will fit a L-48? Also I do have some oil on the bell housing mating surface of the block particularly by the oil filter. I've included a couple pics on the area. Any thoughts on where the oil might be coming from? I don't think it's the valve covers or the distributor, but I guess it's possible it's coming from the top. I also included a photo of my oil pan showing the baffles in my stock pan. I'd ylike to get something that is the same since this fits, but I hate to spend $250 on a new pan if I can avoid it.
I really appreciate any advice you are able to offer.
Thanks,
Jim
Did you look at the oil pressure line outlet on the top of the block? There is either an oil line fitting or a plug depending on the year. Not sure about 73. Maybe there is a leak there.
I am interested in what you find as I have a leak that drops from the bottom of the bell housing. Not sure if it is the rear main seal or oil pan. I did have a leak from the oil plug but fixing it didn't stop my leak. Another source of oil could be the back of the intake where it seals to the block.
Jim,
Did you check the cork gasket that fits between the distributor base and intake manifold?
Mine was wasted and I replaced it.
I was getting wet in the same place.
I'm monitoring it now to see if this fixed the leak.
Your only choices are the distributor base or rear of the intake manifold.
Marshal
Good thought on the oil pressure fitting. '73 does have the mechanical gauge. I check that as well. I installed a new rear main seal and pan gasket. I am waiting to get the trans back from my rebuilder. I checked my bell housing alignment and I am off by about .023" so I am going to need to get some offset pins. Once I get it back together and run the engine I'll provide an update on whether the leak reappeared and if so, where it's coming from.
There are three large pipe plugs on the back face of the block. These block off the oil gallery passages, once the block has been machined. A special 'dope' was used as sealant on them. When rebuilding, it's a good idea to remove them so the galleries can be cleaned out well, then resealed and reinstalled.
Any attempt to tighten these plugs from the originally installed state can break the seal on the pipe plugs and cause leakage. Not saying this is your problem, but it is one to consider.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Nov 24, 2016 at 11:14 AM.
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Oil Leak - possible source??
