Oil leaks, L98 or LT1
11-22-2017, 11:19 AM
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
Oil leaks, L98 or LT1
I am wondering which engine is less likely to leave oil spots in the garage or which is easier to track down and fix oil leaks? I have only ever done basic maintenance on a friends LT1 and it had leaks. No big deal but they were there.
Maybe put another way, say you want a clean daily driver engine, would you want a L98 or LT1 between the two?
Maybe put another way, say you want a clean daily driver engine, would you want a L98 or LT1 between the two?
11-22-2017, 11:24 AM
#3
Race Director
I don't believe one leaks any more (or less) than the other one.
My '96 doesn't have any leaks.
But I know some others might.
Same goes for the L98
I wouldn't base my purchase decision on the "possibility" that one might leak sometime in the future.
My '96 doesn't have any leaks.
But I know some others might.
Same goes for the L98
I wouldn't base my purchase decision on the "possibility" that one might leak sometime in the future.
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mic575 (11-22-2017)
11-22-2017, 11:24 AM
#4
Le Mans Master
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Oil leaks are going to be on pretty much any SBC engine. Old ones suffered from rear seal and intake china wall leaks, L-98, suffer from V/C gasket failure. Lt-1 suffer from water pump to timing cover seal, optispark to timing cover seal and crank seal leakage.
That said, for daily driver use, LT-1.... Just fix whats leaking and it doesnt matter anyway.
That said, for daily driver use, LT-1.... Just fix whats leaking and it doesnt matter anyway.
Last edited by 81c3; 11-22-2017 at 11:26 AM.
11-22-2017, 11:25 AM
#5
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
LT1 but the diff between the two isn't much.
I feel the #1 oil leak spot on an LT1 is the intake/china wall. Easy to fix.
I feel the #1 oil leak spot on an LT1 is the intake/china wall. Easy to fix.
11-22-2017, 12:44 PM
#6
Melting Slicks
I am wondering which engine is less likely to leave oil spots in the garage or which is easier to track down and fix oil leaks? I have only ever done basic maintenance on a friends LT1 and it had leaks. No big deal but they were there.
Maybe put another way, say you want a clean daily driver engine, would you want a L98 or LT1 between the two?
Maybe put another way, say you want a clean daily driver engine, would you want a L98 or LT1 between the two?
Last edited by mtwoolford; 11-22-2017 at 03:15 PM.
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mic575 (11-22-2017)
11-22-2017, 01:16 PM
#8
Instructor
Thread Starter
11-22-2017, 01:22 PM
#9
Instructor
Thread Starter
Agreed. I don't think their is enough of an issue either way to base a purchase on.
Thanks to those who answered. Just something I was wondering about and I don't have the wealth of experience with both engines such as many here have. So I thought it was worth an ask.
Good info
11-22-2017, 09:12 PM
#10
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Oil leaks are going to be on pretty much any SBC engine. Old ones suffered from rear seal and intake china wall leaks, L-98, suffer from V/C gasket failure. Lt-1 suffer from water pump to timing cover seal, optispark to timing cover seal and crank seal leakage.
That said, for daily driver use, LT-1.... Just fix whats leaking and it doesnt matter anyway.
That said, for daily driver use, LT-1.... Just fix whats leaking and it doesnt matter anyway.
I've owned L-98 and LT-1 cars. They all leaked. Nature of the beast. No big deal to me. It wasn't like they were leaving puddles on the floor of my garage.
Last edited by H P Bushrod; 11-22-2017 at 09:13 PM.
11-23-2017, 06:31 AM
#11
, as for leaking, it's a coke or pepsi thing. take you pick L98 or LT1. IMO, the key to leaking issues is premium gaskets and how "hands on" **** you are... 
11-23-2017, 01:40 PM
#12
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I always heard the ideal Chevy would be one with Ford gaskets. 
I've got a '05 Expedition with 145,000 on it and it's bone dry on the bottom of the engine.
11-26-2017, 10:00 AM
#13
Melting Slicks
I remember when I first bought my 94'. About 6 months into ownership I saw a quarter size puddle on the garage floor. I went bat$h!t crazy tracking down the source. Ended up replacing every seal/gasket on the long block. Fast forward a few years and guess what, the leaks slowly re-emerge. Nature of the beast with an SBC.
Just think of it as rust prevention and a reason to keep everything clean. Give the car a nice full inspection/clean every 6 months and you are golden.
Just think of it as rust prevention and a reason to keep everything clean. Give the car a nice full inspection/clean every 6 months and you are golden.
11-27-2017, 04:16 PM
#14
Melting Slicks
I am wondering which engine is less likely to leave oil spots in the garage or which is easier to track down and fix oil leaks? I have only ever done basic maintenance on a friends LT1 and it had leaks. No big deal but they were there.
Maybe put another way, say you want a clean daily driver engine, would you want a L98 or LT1 between the two?
Maybe put another way, say you want a clean daily driver engine, would you want a L98 or LT1 between the two?
Watched a short video last night by an engine builder. He said L98's/ LT1 tend to leak oil while the LS motors do not.
11-27-2017, 04:17 PM
#15
Melting Slicks
11-27-2017, 04:31 PM
#16
Le Mans Master
85 and earlier are more prone to leaks. 86 1 piece rear seal, 1 piece oil pan gasket, and center bolt valve covers reduced 4 of the common leaks. Removing the intake end seals and going to rtv was effective but does not last forever.
11-27-2017, 04:46 PM
#17
Advanced
My 1987 L98 leaks sporadically, higher some times and lower sometimes. Has it's own mind, I've read and heard of these cars leaking after a while when all gaskets, etc. are changed so I'm leaving mine be.
11-27-2017, 05:08 PM
#19
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I found a random page on superchevy or something that mentioned a leakly EGR valve on SBC cause mystery oil loss, makes it suck it the valley or something like that. Happens only when EGR valve is activated (unless it's junk of course), typically at cruise, closed loop. Food for thought.
I'm replacing mine due to massive oil loss at cruise.
I'm replacing mine due to massive oil loss at cruise.
11-28-2017, 01:11 PM
#20
Racer
My '96 LT1 (127k) leaks. The wife and I started on the intake and valve cover gaskets. We also did the w/p and opti seals, at the same time, along with the two oil pressure switches behind the intake manifold. That was just a few of the leaks. They are tight now.
Next we're chasing the crank sensor o-rings (on order) and if it's still puking oil, then we'll do the pan.
I don't care about a dime size drop on the garage floor. It's an old Chevy, after all. What's irritating as all heck is it sprays back on the passenger side cat and stinks to High Heaven when I park it. That leak I need to cure.
Next we're chasing the crank sensor o-rings (on order) and if it's still puking oil, then we'll do the pan.
I don't care about a dime size drop on the garage floor. It's an old Chevy, after all. What's irritating as all heck is it sprays back on the passenger side cat and stinks to High Heaven when I park it. That leak I need to cure.
