leaky 302

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Aug 12, 2002 | 01:56 PM

bigpumpkin

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 12

Likes: 0

leaky 302

I just bought a 1991 F-150 with a 302. Its a good
truck, but it leaks oil pretty badly.

I'm trying to sort out where this could be coming
from:

1) Loose valve covers
2) Oil pan/engine block interface
3) Rear main seal

Is there anywhere else it could come from?

The valve covers look pretty good. I'm thinking its
coming from the oil pan. How hard is this to remove
and replace the gasket? Any advise on how to locate
the leak?

How expensive would it be to have the rear main seal
done?

Regards, Cliff

Aug 13, 2002 | 06:52 AM

460 Joe

Freshman User

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 38

Likes: 0

leaky 302

Cliff,
My 92 5.0 leaks, too. It has 225,000 miles on it. The front seal is leaking on mine. The rear seal does as well. The front seal is much easier to fix. The rear requires the engine to be lifted, the pan removed, the main bearing caps and possibly the crankshaft, too. I would expect to pay alot for this repair. I have plans of replacing my engine soon, so I won't pay to have that fixed. But if you don't plan on swapping engines soon, your choices are 1-keep buying oil or 2-get ready to spend some money.
De-grease your engine really good and take it for a good long drive. Then check around the seals and oil pan. Check your dipstick tube as well. They can leak, too.
Good Luck, 460 Joe.

Aug 13, 2002 | 12:12 PM

bigpumpkin

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Jul 2002

Posts: 12

Likes: 0

leaky 302

Thanks,

I did a search on the archives and found a great post
about the FelPro rubber gasket that enables you to
replace the oil pan gasket without raising the engine.
This is valuable information. I'm fairly sure that
the leak is from the oil pan gasket. When I get some
time, this is what I'm going to try.

Regards, Cliff

Aug 13, 2002 | 05:55 PM

gamehunter

Elder User

Joined: May 2001

Posts: 692

Likes: 1

From: Coon Rapids, MN

leaky 302

Good luck in fixing the leak. Mine leaks a little to, but as far as im concerned its not worth messing with. I have other things to spend my money on. The rear main will require the removal of the transmition, (clutch if you have one), and the flywheel. This is a royal PITA just to replace a 3 dollar part. Look at spending in the neightborhood of 300 or so to get it fixed by someone else. I have never heard of that fel pro gasket but it sounds like it could save MANY hours of headache.

Aug 16, 2002 | 10:13 PM

CountryBoy685

Junior User

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 84

Likes: 0

From: Grafton USA

leaky 302

Well I guess that the 302 in my Dad's 1993 F-150 4X2 Supercab long bed should leak after 230,301 miles.. I don't know exactly were it is leakin cuz it has built up soo much and I reckon that it needs to be steamed cleaned. But I suppose a new 302 and tranny are in the near near future.. no major work has been done to the motor or tranny.. No complaints.. still starts up every mornin..it is not as tight as it use to be but what can ya say.. built ford tough and w/ that many hard hard miles.. she is a good one. What can we say Ford builds them to be one tought suckers.. don't they.. I wish that I could help ya on your leak problem but I just wanted ya'll to know that my dad's is leakin too and it still runs good, jus gotta check the oil more oftern...I think that a 351 may be swapped in in place.. if anyone has any info on that swap.. i would greatly apperciate it.. thanks

Andrew