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Author Topic: oil leak  (Read 9718 times)

Offline Als87

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oil leak
« on: April 03, 2013, 11:18:36 pm »
I have an '87 with a 350 that has a small oil leak. Ive been tryin to pinpoint the leak & I'm pretty sure its the back corner of the driver side valve cover.
It seems to "throw up" a little oil each time i start it but not leak much other than that. when i park it will slowly drip just a bit but the majority gets dumped when i fire it up. Does this sound consistent with a valve cover leak? Im pretty sure thats where its at but i figured Id use the forum & see what u guys thought.
Thanx in advance for any feedback/suggestions or advice.
God bless

'87 shortbed
350 w/ 350 turbo
1/2 ton
4x4
4" lift on 35's
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'87 Shortbed 4x4
350, 350thd
4" suspension lift on 35's

Offline c10Hooligan

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Re: oil leak
« Reply #1 on: April 04, 2013, 11:05:55 am »
My 85 use to do the same thing but it was the passenger side. I eventually got the clamps that go over the valve covers that bolt right on and got a rubber gasket and some gasket sealer and the problem stopped.
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Offline bobcooter

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Re: oil leak
« Reply #2 on: April 04, 2013, 05:09:10 pm »
Do you have an oil pressure gauge? On my 79 the back drivers side corner is where the tubing is hooked up. Right past the end of the valve cover. The tubing to the gauge may have a small crack right at the fitting, especially if its the plastic type. This already happened to me. Replaced it with copper tubing. Your pressure sending unit is in the same place if no gauge. Check to see if its leaking around the threads. Just a couple of easy checks before pulling your valve cover.
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'79 C-20, 350/400, 3:73 gears, 9 leafs and a headache rack
Favorite Quote, "Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from poor judgement."

Offline Als87

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Re: oil leak
« Reply #3 on: April 04, 2013, 09:27:25 pm »
thanx guys. Yea i do have a oil pressure guage hooked up that seems to be working fine but is probably worth a look while im under the hood saturday.
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'87 Shortbed 4x4
350, 350thd
4" suspension lift on 35's

Offline bobcooter

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Re: oil leak
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2013, 03:32:14 pm »
Sometimes they don't leak bad enough to affect the operation of the gauge but it will still leak enough to know you have a leak.
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'79 C-20, 350/400, 3:73 gears, 9 leafs and a headache rack
Favorite Quote, "Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from poor judgement."

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: oil leak
« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2013, 04:47:52 pm »
best thing to do is clean it all up. then start fresh dont drive it cause the wind coming from the underside will blow the oil all around
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If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline Macj1983

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oil leak
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2013, 06:01:39 pm »
Quote from: bobcooter on April 04, 2013, 05:09:10 pm
Do you have an oil pressure gauge? On my 79 the back drivers side corner is where the tubing is hooked up. Right past the end of the valve cover. The tubing to the gauge may have a small crack right at the fitting, especially if its the plastic type. This already happened to me. Replaced it with copper tubing. Your pressure sending unit is in the same place if no gauge. Check to see if its leaking around the threads. Just a couple of easy checks before pulling your valve cover.
Guess this is a common problem just got 79 and that is exactly where mine was leaking
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Offline Als87

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Re: oil leak
« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2013, 10:16:22 pm »
Got em replaced after wrk last nite. The gaskets were definitely bad, I could see where it was leakn, & it's no wonder cuz they were cork gaskets ugh. Why not spend the few xtra dollars for decent rubber gaskets!?
With that being said, the corner still leaks just a very little bit but it's still a drip. I'm gonna pull it off again tmoro aftr church & double check the head surface & hopefully stop the drip.
The oil pressure line to the guage seems fine.
Thanx again guys
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'87 Shortbed 4x4
350, 350thd
4" suspension lift on 35's

Offline Als87

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Re: oil leak
« Reply #8 on: April 08, 2013, 09:22:23 am »
Well I determined its gotta b the backside of the intake. That's nex weekends project
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'87 Shortbed 4x4
350, 350thd
4" suspension lift on 35's

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: oil leak
« Reply #9 on: April 08, 2013, 06:50:13 pm »
use some rtv gasket maker and throw away the rubber gasket for the intake.
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If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline 81_Chevy

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Re: oil leak
« Reply #10 on: April 08, 2013, 08:45:12 pm »
Quote from: Irish_Alley on April 08, 2013, 06:50:13 pm
use some rtv gasket maker and throw away the rubber gasket for the intake.

^best thing ever to do  8)
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81 Chevy K20 350 4" Rough Country lift ridin on 35's ; 2 12 inch Subwoofers w/ a custom interior

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Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: oil leak
« Reply #11 on: April 08, 2013, 09:37:24 pm »
i would even go as far as using it on one side or the other of the valve cover gasket just not both or you wont get it back off again
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If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline Als87

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Re: oil leak
« Reply #12 on: April 09, 2013, 08:46:02 pm »
thats what i heard from a guy at work too. i had bought some gasket sealer but i need to get the good blue or orange gasket maker. is that the rtv stuff? this oil leak is drivin me nuts
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'87 Shortbed 4x4
350, 350thd
4" suspension lift on 35's

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: oil leak
« Reply #13 on: April 09, 2013, 09:12:46 pm »
rtv orange. each one is for diffrent things ie one for fuel one for high temp one for oil contact.
SENSOR SAFE
Formulated for Hi-Temp and Heavy Duty Use
Resists cracking, shrinking and migrating caused by thermal cycling
Coats pre-cut gaskets to increase reliability
Temperature Range = -75F to +600F continuous; -75F to +650F intermittent
Pressure-resistant - stays flexible
Gasket maker or dressing
Applications = Valve Covers, oil pans, intake manifold end seals, timing covers, water pumps, thermostat housings and other high temp. areas
they even make copper ones
http://www.permatex.com/products/product-categories
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If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline Als87

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Re: oil leak
« Reply #14 on: April 10, 2013, 11:56:41 am »
I can't find the orange at any of the auto parts stores round here. Can I use the black one for the intake?
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'87 Shortbed 4x4
350, 350thd
4" suspension lift on 35's
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