It started as a little drip, I knew I had some kind of leak.

So I had my mechanic come take a look at it, he thought the filter was a little loose so he tightened it. It started spraying out. He took the filter off and said it looks like someone made a gouge on the mating surface where the filter gasket goes over. From the middle out, about a 3/16 wide gouge.

We got a new filter and oil and he tightened it as much as he could so it stopped for now.

He claims its part of the block not a bolt on piece.

What do I do now?

 

Help someone please

 

According to this picture, it looks like there is some kind of adapter between the filter and the block (item #34 - part number 396301). That makes sense because back in the old days they had a canister and an oil filter cartridge and later they needed that adapter to allow for the spin-on oil filters:

http://parts.nalleygmc.com/images/pa...041Y00-011.JPG

 

I see them for 85-91 and it looks like its just the center part that comes off the block. The area that seats against the filter gasket is damaged.

Im going to see if someone can weld tp it I guess and smooth it off

 

I believe before I attempted that I'd buy an oil cooler adapter or the later L98 cooler and use some RTV as a "filler" along with the gasket when installing because the adapter or cooler to the block is a seal that isn't disturbed at every oil filter change, there are I believe maybe 3 possible choices and all should be very easy to source. The L98 cooler uses a substantially different gasket to seal the area that seems to be your problem. That would be maybe my first choice or the cooler adapter that actually was used in '84 that was also used on most light trucks in the 70's, 80's and into the 90's. The LT1 filter adapter could also offer the same solution and is likely considerably less expensive and although the seal used is less substantial it could easily accomplish a "fix".

I can see where if it were cleaned well enough that maybe Devcon could be used as a filler for the "gouge" before installing the cooler or adapter.

I can see welding creating a "worse" situation.

If you're interested I'll post some more information. If welding is your choice there's no need.

 

I was actually looking at some filter bypass parts, and wondering if they could be used. I guess with those a new filter would have to be `plumbed`.

Im open to ideas this is all new terrortory for me. And I mean terror.

So show me what you got nd part #s too Im sure youll have them.


I appreciate any help or suggestions substantially.

 

Well its not dripping so far. I might have time to think it through thoroughly, so Im not rushing into it.


I used a good quality oil filter, and I heard some people suggest you really may not need to replace the filter as often as the oil.


Maybe if I need another oil change before its adressed fully, I can just leave that filter in?

 

WVZR1 still hoping you can help with those part numbers so I can look this all over. Please and thank you.

 

My first choice would likely be the L98 cooler maybe BUT the premium gasket that seals the cooler to the block has been discontinued. That GM # is 14087586 and is on dealers shelves likely OR a local dealer could maybe locate one close. It would be a USPS thing but the gasket is expensive. Quality at a price. The USPS ship would be an envelope at a couple of dollars.

There's a FELPRO package that could have the correct gasket included but I've never needed it so I've never had a 'hands on'. That # is ES70687. I need to stress the 'could have'. If a NAPA jobber or other might have the package you could match it to an oil filter sealing gasket. It should be different material and likely thicker. People use an old oil filter seal but your particular repair I believe deserves the correct part. Remove the seal from a new filter? Maybe.

You would then just need the cooler and a WTB in the parts section should cover that. I have one along with the mounting sleeve. You would then just use 2 heater hose cap plugs and 2 clamps to cover the coolant lines. I'd maybe do my cooler and sleeve for $45, I'd need to think about anything less.

Here's a link to a post with a snapshot of the L98 cooler. I have the sleeve and cooler and you can visualize the cap plugs needed that I suggested. You can see the mounting surface to block also that I mentioned:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1585046532

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A second choice would be an LT1 cooler that was used on the Caprice fleet and cop cars, you need the same gasket and it would likely be more difficult to block the coolant passages if you wanted to. It mounts differently using 5/16 studs but I'd guess if you bought a used cooler it would come with.

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There's a couple other choices also using just an LT1 Corvette oil filter adapter but it uses only an o-ring seal to the damaged area of your block so I'm unsure of the sealing characteristics. Simple mount 3" bolts, a gasket and again an o-ring type seal. A WTB in the parts section likely.

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The other choice would be the correct adapter tat would have been used on an '84 wit the cooler that I mentioned was also used on light trucks 70's through the 09's.

There's many choices. Any of the choices using NEW parts gets expensive and I seem to recall you're typically the 'thrifty/frugal' sort.

 

lol thats me too many places for that $ to go to, but I was nauseated over seeing my car disabled by such a seemingly minor but uncommon issue without a good known fix or cure. Was hard to eat that night

I went so far as to think maybe its time for a new motor. It does smoke a little even still now, probably because when I got it the injector o rings were bad and the cylinders got washed out for who knows how long was it that way.

So if it takes 100 or 200 I guess its time to get over it. Cant have my dinners ruined perpetually.


Thanks for information now time to do lots of research ( and try to find a good balance to taking time for proper research and not fall too far on the side of procrastination).